Kentuckians Urged to Act Now and Stop the Spread of COVID-19

DEM Blogger

November 2, 2020

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 2, 2020) – On Monday, Gov. Andy Beshear said all Kentuckians need to act now to stop a COVID-19 surge that could overwhelm the commonwealth’s health care system and force businesses and schools to close again.

“In America and in Kentucky, this is getting increasingly more and more dangerous. The newest numbers are absolutely staggering,” said Gov. Beshear. “We’re losing 1,200 Americans per day and we have some individuals who say, ‘Oh, it’s not real.’ Think about the amount of grief that is crying out every day in this country and this commonwealth based on those who we have lost.”

Community leaders, businesses, schools and families in counties listed in the red zone on Thursdays should follow nine recommendations the following Monday through Sunday. All Kentuckians should consider adopting some of these recommendations to help their county avoid the red zone. Today’s COVID-19 case report is the highest ever for a Monday.

The Governor reminded Kentuckians to vote safely in the 2020 general election tomorrow if they have not done so already. He encouraged all voters to wear a mask and stay six feet apart from others at the polls.

Finally, the Governor addressed the Friday report that a former Kentucky State Police training slideshow included quotes from Adolf Hitler and Robert E. Lee.

“We believe that presentation was only given one single time, to one single class, but it is absolutely and totally unacceptable. Unacceptable. While we believe that this was used just one time six years ago, we’re not stopping there. We are checking all training materials going back in time and looking at the present,” said Gov. Beshear. “We’re committed to making this right. To our brothers and sisters in the Jewish community and the Black community in Kentucky, this should never have happened. You should never have to see this news.”

Case Information
As of 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, Gov. Beshear reported the following COVID-19 numbers:

• New cases today: 1,032
• New deaths today: 3
• Positivity rate: 6.25%
• Total deaths: 1,492
• Currently hospitalized: 988
• Currently in ICU: 270
• Currently on ventilator: 142

Top counties with the most positive cases today are: Jefferson, Fayette, Warren and McCracken.

Red zone counties for this week can be found here.

Those reported lost to the virus today include an 82-year-old man from Hardin County; a 93-year-old man from Jessamine County; and a 59-year-old man from Whitley County.

Gov. Beshear explained how Kentucky’s mask mandate helped limit the commonwealth’s COVID-19 cases and deaths to less than half of what neighboring Tennessee experienced without a mask mandate.

Every two minutes, we are losing one of our fellow Americans to COVID-19.

Fast 4
Today, the Governor announced that Healthcare Asset Network, doing business as HANDLE Global, which develops, sells and implements technology in support of the health care equipment supply chain, is expanding in Jefferson County with a $7.8 million investment toward additional warehousing and 80 high-paying jobs across its distribution and headquarters operations. To read the full release, click here.

Next, Gov. Beshear updated Kentuckians that he has designated $15 million in CARES funding for the Healthy at Home Utility Relief Fund. The fund can assist households with income up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level that have suffered financially due to COVID-19, covering up to $500 for past-due utility, water or wastewater bills. For a limited number of households, the fund can pay up to $200 for past-due electric or natural gas bills, up to two times. Kentuckians can apply at their local Community Action Agency: To locate your local office, call 800-456-3452 or visit www.capky.org.

Applicants will need the following documentation:

• Most current utility bill;
• Proof of arrearage, payment plan or disconnect notice for utilities;
• Proof of Social Security Number or Permanent Residence card (Green Card) for each member of the household; and
• Proof of all household’s (all members) income from the preceding month.

“Again, this is just another way, on top of health care, food assistance, rental assistance and the extra $400 of unemployment the state opted to provide – when not many other states did – that we are trying to help people make it through,” said Gov. Beshear. “Please take advantage of this program.”

Gov. Beshear advised absentee voters to use drop boxes this close to Election Day. Finally, the Governor highlighted Kentuckians who are stepping up in the fight against COVID-19 and sharing their stories with the hashtag #MaskUpKY

“If you still have an absentee ballot, don’t mail it; take it to a drop box. That’s the best way to make sure that it is counted,” said Gov. Beshear.

More Information
To view the full daily report, incidence rate map, testing locations, long term-care and other congregate facilities update, school reports, the White House Coronavirus Task Force reports for Kentucky and other key guidance visit, kycovid19.ky.gov.

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