Governor orders quarantine for those who attend mass gatherings; 11 deaths, 242 new cases make tough weekend: Governor

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – The state will monitor the handful of places expected to have in-person gatherings this weekend and give license plate numbers to local health departments who will order 14-day quarantines for those who attend, Gov. Andy Beshear ordered Friday (watch his comments in the attached video).

The tough measure came as Kentucky hit a new high with 242 new cases confirmed Friday and had 11 more deaths, Beshear said during his daily briefing.

And he still warned the numbers will “get tougher” in the days ahead as the expected surge continues.

The governor later said he expected the seven known places who have said they plan to hold in-person services will be down to “three or four” by Saturday.

At those, state police will take down license plates and provide them to the local health department.

The health department then will give the family the two-week quarantine notice.

“We hope they will do it voluntarily,” the governor said, but noted additional steps may be taken to enforce the quarantine.

“The road is going to get harder before it gets easier,” Beshear said going into one of the most important religious and family weekends of the year.

The new cases bring the state’s total to 1,693.

Of the new cases in the region include 32 in Jefferson, six in Pulaski, four in Jessamine and Adair, three in Mercer and Woodford and two in Clark, the governor said.

The state now has had 90 deaths.

Of the deaths, six were in Jefferson in County.

Of the statewide cases, 459 were hospitalized at one point and 271 are in hospital now. At one point 271 were in ICU and 105 are now.

More importantly, 464 — 27 percent — of the cases have recovered, the governor said.

Among other highlights:

— The state set a record Thursday, sending out 71,625 unemployment benefits payments for almost $43 million.