During his daily briefing Monday, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said the two most prominent causes of new virus clusters in Kentucky are vacation travel and gatherings without social distancing.
Beshear said he ordered the mask requirement because recent increases in coronavirus cases threaten to escalate the spread in Kentucky. He said he doesn’t want Kentucky to experience the kind of spike seen in other states that now face hospital bed shortages.
The state's daily report said 430 people in Kentucky were hospitalized for covid-19, up from 427 the day before. Intensive-care cases remained steady at 73; they have ranged from 61 to 79 in the last three weeks.
Kentucky's total cases are now up to 15,842 and its death toll is up to 568. The daily report shows that 427 Kentuckians are currently hospitalized, with 73 in intensive care. The hospitalization number continues to rise; it is now the largest since June 11, when it was 514.
Until there is a vaccine, the rules are to keep your hands washed, stay six feet away from anyone who doesn't live in your home, get tested regularly and, most important, wear a mask when in public.
Beshear committed to asking the legislature to recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday through legislation. The legislature would have to pass the measure during the next general assembly.
Two National guardsmen were involved in the shooting death of Louisville barbecue chef David McAtee, and police and state officials have said McActee fired first. The incident has sparked outrage from people across the city, state and country already protesting police violence.
The governor noted that more deaths have been reported recently among people in their 50s and 60s, which he said should remind people in at-risk categories (over 60 or with underlying medical conditions) that “just because things are open doesn’t mean you should be going to them.”
Despite a decidedly upward two-week trend, Gov. Andy Beshear said on Tuesday it will take more time to see if the increase is related to testing in long-term care facilities, where the state is seeing a bump in cases.
