Regional & State Archives

Murray State chief medical officer warns against politicization of coronavirus

by Dalton York
July 15, 2020

Dr. Robert Hughes said the United States is failing in virus containment efforts because of citizens and leaders treating COVID-19 as a political issue. He pointed to Germany, where he said Chancellor Angela Merkel is letting scientists take the lead, as a model for a proper response to the pandemic.

Coronavirus cases down for the day, but remain on an upward trend

by Test and Eric Umansky
July 15, 2020

For the fifth time in eight days, the state has confirmed more than 500 new coronavirus cases, bringing the seven-day rolling average to a new high.

Visiting at Kentucky nursing homes begins with COVID-19 safety precautions

by Rhonda Miller
July 15, 2020

Visiting will occur in an area close to the main entrance, not in residents' rooms. Visitors will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms or contacts, required to wear masks and required to stay six feet from the resident.

As cases set a new record by far, Beshear says ‘It’s time to stop the silliness and the games’ and ‘come together or fall apart’

by Al Cross
July 14, 2020

Beshear reported 576 cases, almost as many as the 625 that the state reported on May 5, when it included 309 cases from a prison, which were found over several days of testing.

Beshear sees ‘good compliance’ with mask order despite media reports, offers a poll showing most Kentucky voters agree with it

by Test and Eric Umansky
July 13, 2020

During an update Monday, Gov. Andy Beshear reminded Kentuckians that nearly three-fourths of residents support requiring people to wear a mask in public places and asserted the "broken system of social media" allows small groups to look like majorities.

Paducah Beer Werks closes through Wednesday after potential COVID-19 exposure

by Sydni Anderson
July 13, 2020

Paducah Beer Werks is closing Monday to Wednesday following a notification that multiple people who had eaten at the brewery had been in direct contact with an individual that tested positive for COVID-19 this past week.

Grayson County sheriff says he got COVID-19 because he didn’t wear a mask enough, urges his friends to wear masks

by Kentucky Health News
July 12, 2020

"The worst thing during this is that when one symptom starts to subside, I would develop two different ones. It is almost like someone is controlling them and taking turns turning them up and down as a sick joke." — Grayson County Sheriff Norman Chaffins

Coronavirus cases hit a new record for 5th day in a row; 7-day rolling average is more than double what it was 3 weeks ago

by Al Cross
July 11, 2020

In terms of cases identified on a single day, the state has set a new record for five straight days.

Kentucky’s positive test rate, 7-day average of new cases have increased by more than 80% in last 3 weeks

by Al Cross
July 11, 2020

The state also set another record Friday: 426 new cases of the virus, the most ever identified on one day.

Paducah TV station tells employees they need the company’s permission to be tested for COVID-19

by Liam Niemeyer
July 10, 2020

Some employees of the station’s parent company, Paxton Media Group, say that policy discourages them from getting a test. Paxton also owns several newspapers in the region, including the Kentucky New Era.

Governor blasts AG Cameron and circuit judge for ruling requiring his orders to be more specific, pledges to appeal

by Kentucky Health News
July 10, 2020

Beshear said the order from "Judge Whatshisname" was "absolutely irresponsible," and he also lit into Cameron.

Louisville doctor explains why masks are important; others debunk several myths with facts about how masks work against COVID-19 spread

by Melissa Patrick
July 9, 2020

"Everyone should wear a mask. People who say 'I don't believe masks work' are ignoring scientific evidence. It's not a belief system. It's like saying, 'I don't believe in gravity.'" — Dr. Dean Blumberg, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at the University of California-Davis Children's Hospital