Beshear has also cited a decline in the percentage of Kentuckians testing positive for the virus. He did not report on testing or hospitalizations Sunday.
The report recommends that public officials "Ensure that all business retailers and personal services require masks," something that is not being done in much of the state, if anecdotal reports of limited mask wearing and enforcement in many businesses are indicative.
"Facial coverings work. They are our best chance of saving lives and protecting the health of our people, ensuring our economy can stay open, and getting our kids back in school." — Gov. Andy Beshear
Central Kentucky chef Ouita Michel, who owns eight restaurants, is lobbying Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to include a $120 billion package for restaurant support in the next coronavirus bill.
The 5.43% test positivity rate was slightly under the daily average for the week so far, 5.51%, and notably under the 5.81% reported Wednesday. Last week, the rate rose above 5% for the first time since testing became generally available.
Comer said many college students were not included in the last wave of stimulus checks. He called this an “unintended consequence,” and said the likely second wave of stimulus checks will not miss this specific group of the population.
The University of Kentucky plans to test all 30,000 students expected to return for in-person instruction in August with a combination of drive-thru and walk-up testing.
Beshear said the state remains in "a danger zone, but again with the time to do things right." In a new suggestion, he said businesses could help by letting more of their employees work from home.
The state announced 619 new cases on Wednesday, up from 590 the day before and 522 Monday, but nowhere near the second highest number of 836 reported Saturday.
Tuesday brought hopeful signs. The seven-day rolling average for the positive test rate fell to 5.08%, the first time it's gone down in four days, and the seven-day average of daily new cases fell to 590. Four days before, it had been 668, more than triple the average of 220 on July 1.
