Kentucky sees highest one-day increase in COVID-19 cases

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – Governor Andy Beshear on Sunday reported the highest one-day increase in COVID-19 cases in Kentucky since the outbreak began with 273 positive tests since Saturday.

The state now has 2,960 total cases.  The governor also reported four new deaths, bringing Kentucky’s death toll from the virus to 148.

The latest victims include a 93-year old woman from Graves County, a 94-year old woman from Hopkins County, an 85-year old woman from Jackson County and a 61-year old man from Jefferson County, according to the governor.

People are still encouraged to light up their homes and businesses green to honor those lost to the virus and to ring bells at 10:00 a.m. each day.

Long-term care facilities continue to be a growing hot spot in the state.  The governor says there have been positive coronavirus cases in 46 facilities with 386 residents and 172 staff infected along with 50 deaths.

The governor also reported 32,319 people have been tested for COVID-19 thus far in the state and 1,122 people have fully recovered from the virus.

There are still 265 people hospitalized with the virus with 149 in ICU’s.

Governor Beshear also urged people to sign-up for testing at four recently announced drive-through testing sites.

People in and around Madisonville, Paducah, Somerset and Pikeville can sign-up for testing that begins on Tuesday, April 21, 2020.

Those seeking to obtain a test can get location and registration details at KROGERHEALTH.COM/COVIDTESTING.

Those eligible for the tests include people exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, shortness of breath and cough; health care workers and first responders who may have been exposed to coronavirus; and anyone with mild symptoms who also may have been exposed to COVID-19.

The testing is free.  The overall goal of the partnership between Kroger and the state is to conduct 20,000 tests over the next five weeks.  Test results are expected within approximately 48-hours.

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