We’ll continue to update this post as we learn new information.
There are at least12,829 cases throughout Kentucky as of Tuesday. There are now 512 people who have died in the state as a result of the coronavirus.
In Indiana, there are 40,786 cases as of Tuesday. The number of deaths in the state is 2,265.
In Tennessee there are31,830 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Tuesday, and 493 people have died as a result of the virus.
Wednesday, June 3
Seven More Deaths Reported in Tennessee
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Tennessee is nearing 25,000. The state’s latest update includes 447 more cases.
Tennessee is also reporting seven more deaths, increasing the state’s death toll to 388.
Indiana: 10 More Deaths Announced Wednesday
Ten more COVID-19 deaths are being reported in Indiana Wednesday, far fewer than the 46 deaths announced the day before. The latest update pushes the state’s coronavirus death toll to 2,032.
More than 500 new cases have been confirmed, pushing the Hoosier State’s caseload to 35,712.
Tuesday, June 2
Kentucky: Three More Deaths, 155 More Cases
Gov. Andy Beshear has announced three more COVID-19 deaths in Kentucky, increasing the state’s death toll to 442. One of the new deaths confirmed Tuesday was a 92-year-old man in Muhlenberg County.
Beshear said the state has seen 155 new cases of coronavirus, pushing the commonwealth’s total caseload to nearly 10,200. Ten of those new cases are in Warren County, with three new cases in Hardin, Marion, and Pulaski counties.
Beshear said nearly 254,000 Kentucky residents have been tested so far, which puts the commonwealth in the top of states in terms of the number of coronavirus tests administered.
Indiana Death Toll Hits New Milestone
Indiana’s death toll from COVID-19 has passed 2,000.
The latest update from the state health department includes 46 new deaths. The 2,022 Indiana residents who have died from the coronavirus is 5.5 times more than the number of deaths in Tennessee, despite those two states having almost identical populations.
Indiana’s total number of confirmed coronavirus cases is now more than 35,000.
Tennessee Caseload Now Exceeds 23,000
Fourteen more Tennessee residents have died from COVID-19. The state’s death toll now stands at 381.
Tennessee saw a big spike in its number of new coronavirus cases, with 821 more confirmed in Tuesday’s update. The state’s total caseload is nearing 23,400.
Friday, May 29
Kentucky Cases of COVID-19 Seeing Increase
Kentucky reported 283 new cases of coronavirus Friday and nine additional deaths. The state has now had 9,464 total cases and 418 related deaths. At least 3,231 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus so far. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced a change to his coronavirus updates. Beginning next week, he will address the state Monday-Thursday at 3 p.m. central.
Thursday, May 28
Indiana Death Toll Now Exceeds 1,900
Indiana is reporting 37 more COVID-19 deaths, pushing the state’s death toll to 1,907. The state has confirmed 33,068 coronavirus cases since the pandemic begin, with Thursday’s update adding 646 new cases to the total.
Counties in southwestern Indiana continue to see low case numbers. Vanderburgh County, which includes Evansville, has confirmed 259 cases. Neighboring Warrick County has so far seen 165 cases.
Wednesday, May 27
Commonwealth Has Lost 400 Kentuckians To COVID-19
Kentucky reported 127 new cases of coronavirus Wednesday and six additional deaths. The state now has 9,077 cases and 400 related deaths. At least 3,124 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.
Tennessee Reports 10 More Deaths, 341 New Cases
Ten more Tennessee residents have died from COVID-19, putting the state’s coronavirus death toll at 353. The latest update includes nearly 350 new cases, pushing Tennessee’s total number of positive tests to 21,306.
The state has tested nearly 410,000 residents, more than double the number of tests given so far in Kentucky.
Indiana's Death Toll Nearing 1,900
Indiana’s coronavirus death toll has increased by 21 people, pushing the state’s overall death count from COVID-19 to 1,871.
Wednesday’s update includes 370 more confirmed coronavirus cases, bringing Indiana’s total caseload to more than 32,437.
Green River District in Kentucky: 29 New Cases, Mostly in Ohio County
Fifteen new COVID-19 cases in Ohio County make up more than half of the 29 additional cases in the Green River District.
Daviess County reported seven cases Wednesday, with five in Henderson County, and one each in McClean and Hancock counties. The seven-county district now has 656 confirmed cases of coronavirus.
The Green River District Health Department will continue free COVID-19 testing this week at sites throughout the district. Kroger will continue testing at Henderson Community and Technical College. Pre-registration is required at all locations.
Tuesday, May 26
Expanded Testing in Warren County This Week
COVID-19 testing is taking place at Basil Griffin Park through Friday from 8:30am to 5:30pm. Appointments are required and can be made online.
Warren County has seen at least 920 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the second-highest total in the state, according to Kentucky’s COVID-19 website. The commonwealth has recorded more than 8,500 positive tests for the coronavirus and at least 390 deaths. The state has ramped up testing to include nearly 170,000 residents.
Indiana Has 18 New COVID-19 Related Deaths
Indiana reported 373 new cases of coronavirus Tuesday and 18 additional deaths. The state now has 32,078 cases of COVID-19 and 1,850 related deaths.
Nearly 400 New Coronavirus Cases in Tennessee
Tennessee reported 358 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday and five additional deaths. The state now has 20,965 cases and 343 related deaths. At least 13,344 people in Tennessee have recovered from the virus.
Friday, May 22
Beshear: Kentucky Possibly On the Downturn From COVID-19 Cases?
Governor Andy Beshear says he’s hopeful Kentucky is now seeing the beginning of a decline in its number of new coronavirus infections. Beshear announced 141 new COVID-19 cases during his news briefing Friday. The update brings Kentucky’s total number of cases to more than 8,400.
Twenty-eight of the latest confirmed cases are in Warren County, including a 2-year-old.
Kentucky has suffered five more deaths, bringing the state’s total death toll from coronavirus to 391.
Beshear asked Kentuckians to practice healthy hygiene and social distancing guidelines during Memorial Day weekend activities, as the state continues to gradually relax its COVID-19 restrictions.
Beshear announced the opening of a new online portal where Kentucky residents can request an absentee ballot for the state’s June 23 primary election. All Kentucky voters can vote through absentee ballot as part of the state’s COVID-19 guidelines.
Kentucky Secretary of State says the hope is to prevent long lines of people at polling places next month, since that could spread the coronavirus. Kentuckians can go to govoteky.com to request an absentee ballot.
Green River District Ends The Week With Five New Coronavirus Cases
The Green River District Health Department reported five new confirmed COVID-19 cases Friday. Daviess and Henderson Counties each report two new cases, with one case in Ohio County.
Seventy-two of the 614 positive COVID-19 patients remain hospitalized. The seven-county district is reporting a 76-percent recovery rate among coronavirus patients.
Free curbside COVID-19 testing will continue next week at clinic sites throughout
the district. Kroger will provide testing at Henderson Community and Technical College next Tuesday through Thursday.
Indiana COVID-19 Death Toll Nearing 1,800
Indiana reported 493 new cases of coronavirus Friday, and 27 new deaths. The state now has 30,409 confirmed cases and 1,791 related deaths.
Coronavirus Cases in Tennessee Pass 19,000 Mark
Tennessee reported 433 new cases of COVID-19 Friday and two additional deaths. The state now has 19,394 confirmed cases and 315 related deaths.
Davidson and Shelby counties—which are home to Nashville and Memphis, respectively—each have more than 41-hundred coronavirus cases, by far the most in the state.
Thursday, May 21
Indiana’s Caseload Nearing 30,000, with Central and Northern Counties Impacted the Most
Another 48 Indiana residents have died from COVID-19. Thursday’s update from the state puts the overall death toll at 1,764.
Indiana is nearing 30,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus.
The Evansville region has so far not recorded high numbers of positive tests. Vanderburgh County has seen 229 confirmed cases, with neighboring Warrick County adding 157 positive test results. In comparison, there are eight central and northern Indiana counties with over 1,000 COVID-19 cases.
Wednesday, May 20
Beshear Announces New Round of Funding for Local Governments
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced $300 million in CARES Act funding for city and county governments that will go out starting at 8 a.m. on Thursday.
During his Wednesday briefing, he said the money will reimburse local governments for expenses they accrued from the pandemic. Eligible expenses include personal protective equipment purchased for health and safety workers, materials used for disinfecting, payroll costs and necessary measures taken to allow public employees to telework during the crisis.
“You do not have the success we’ve had against COVID-19 without strong local leaders and the expenses that they put into it,” Beshear said.
The Department for Local Governmentwill administer the funds through an application process.--Stephanie Wolf, WFPL
Kentucky's Death Toll Increases to 376
Kentucky has suffered 10 more deaths from COVID-19.
At his daily news briefing Wednesday, Gov. Andy Beshear said most of the latest deaths are nursing home residents. A total of 376 Kentucky residents have died of COVID-19.
The state has recorded 166 new cases of coronavirus, pushing the state’s total to 8,167. Thirty-five of those new cases are in Warren County. Logan County recorded eight new cases, and Hardin County has six. Barren and Simpson counties both have four new cases.
New Testing Sites in Region Next Week
Governor Andy Beshear said drive-up testing is continuing next week in several parts of the state, including Henderson and Warren counties. Testing will take place at Henderson Community College next Tuesday through Thursday.
Basil Griffin Park in Bowling Green is also hosting testing next Tuesday through Friday. Appointments are now being taken for those sites.
Tennessee Reporting Four New Coronavirus Related Deaths
Tennessee is reporting four new deaths from COVID-19. The state’s latest update brings its overall death toll to 309. More than 18,500 coronavirus cases have been confirmed so far in Tennessee. Just over 1,500 residents have required hospitalization.
Report: Rural Counties Lack Adequate COVID Testing
Just 15 percent of Kentucky counties meet minimum recommended coronavirus testing levels, according to a new report from health care company Castlight. Sixty-seven percent of West Virginia counties and 31 percent of Ohio counties met the threshold. You can read more here.--Sydney Boles, Ohio Valley ReSource
High Rate of Recovery Reported in Kentucky's Green River Region
The Green River District Health Department is reporting a seventy-three percent recovery rate among COVID-19 cases in the district. Of the 599 positive cases reported as of Wednesday, 440 people have recovered.
Fifteen COVID-19 patients remain hospitalized throughout the seven-county district, where ten people have died from the coronavirus. Daviess County reported two new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, with one eachin Henderson and Ohio counties.
Free COVID-19 testing through Kroger continues through Thursday at the Ohio County Fairgrounds.
More Than 29,00o Cases in Hoosier State
The total number of confirmed coronavirus tests in Indiana now stands at 29,274.
The latest update from the Hoosier State shows 581 new cases, along with 38 more deaths. Indiana’s death toll now stands at 1,716.
The state has run 195,738 tests as of Wednesday, with 15% of those yielding positive results.
Tuesday, May 19
Beshear: Ky Museums, Outdoor Attractions, Distilleries Can Open June 8
Kentucky museums, outdoor attractions, aquariums, libraries and distilleries will be allowed to reopen starting June 8, Gov. Andy Beshear announced during his Tuesday briefing.
He said they’re still working out specific guidance for these industries, but “this gives these businesses some advance notice.” You can read more here.--Stepanie Wolf, WFPL
Green River District Reporting Two New COVID-19 Related Deaths
The Green River District Health Department is reporting two new deaths from COVID-19. The latest deaths were residents of Daviess and Henderson counties.
That brings the coronavirus-related death toll in the seven-county region to 10. Eleven new COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the Green River District, bringing the total caseload to 595.
Free COVID-19 testing continues this week throughout the region, with health department locations open tomorrow/today in Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, and Ohio counties. Drive-up testing is also being offered by Kroger this week at the Ohio County Fairgrounds.
Tennessee’s Death Toll Inches Up
Four more Tennessee residents have died from COVID-19, bringing the state’s death toll to 305. Tennessee has recorded nearly 18,378 cases of coronavirus, and has tested more than 346,000 residents. That’s more than double the number of tests given so far in Kentucky.
Indiana Sees Dozens of More Deaths, Nearly 500 New Cases
Indiana has recorded another 57 deaths from COVID-19, pushing the state’s overall death toll to 1,678.
The state has confirmed 481 more coronavirus cases, bringing Indiana’s total number of COVID-19 cases to 28,705. Indiana has administered more than 189,000 coronavirus tests so far.
Monday, May 18
Kentucky Has Nearly 8,000 COVID-19 Cases
Kentucky reported 138 new cases of coronavirus and nine additional deaths. The state now has 7,935 cases of coronavirus and 346 related deaths. At least 2,785 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.
Tennessee COVID Caseload Exceeds 18,000
More than 18,000 Tennessee residents have tested positive for COVID-19. The Monday update shows 623 new cases.
The state’s death toll has increased by three to 301. More than 337,000 Tennessee residents have been tested for coronavirus so far.
Hoosier State Suffers 14 More COVID Deaths
Fourteen more Indiana residents have died from COVID-19. The latest update pushes the Hoosier State’s death toll to 1,621. Almost 500 more coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Indiana, for a total caseload of nearly 28,255.
More Cases Reported in Kentucky's Green River District
The Green River District Health Department is reporting seven new cases of COVID-19. Six of those cases are in Ohio County, with one positive case reported in Daviess County.
The seven-county district now has a total of 584 confirmed cases of coronavirus. Sixty-eight percent of confirmed COVID-19 patients have recovered from the virus.
The health department is continuing to offer free COVID-19 testing this week at sites throughout the district.
Friday, May 15
Kentucky Reporting More Than 250 New COVID-19 Cases
Kentucky is reporting 252 new cases of coronavirus today and four additional deaths. The state now has 7,444 cases and 332 related deaths. At least 2,739 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.
Gov. Andy Beshear said Kentucky state parks will reopen June 1st, including lodges, cabins, golf courses and campgrounds. Beshear clarified that playgrounds and recreational pools will remain closed.
Wednesday, May 13
Bowling Green Area is a Statewide COVID Hotspot
Warren County now has the second highest number of positive coronavirus cases in the state.
The latest update provided by Governor Andy Beshear included 72 new COVID-19 cases in Warren County, bringing the county’s total number of positive tests to more than 700. Beshear said he was especially concerned by the number of young children in Warren County, including some as young as 1, 2, and 3 years of age.
Kentucky Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack said he spoke over the phone Wednesday to the leaders of The Medical Center and Greenview Regional Hospital, and that the state would be getting those health care providers more coronavirus test kits.
Dr. Stack also said The Medical Center has received some doses of the experimental drug Remdesivir, which researchers say has shown some effectiveness in treating patients with COVID-19.
The statewide coronavirus case total increased by 227, along with five more deaths. That brings the statewide death toll to 326, with 7,080 confirmed cases.
Med Center Health Infectious Disease Expert Has COVID-19
A southern Kentucky physician who has helped shape the local response to the coronavirus has tested positive for COVID-19.
Dr. Rebecca Shadowen, an infectious disease expert at Med Center Health in Bowling Green, released a statement through the health care group saying she tested positive for the virus Tuesday.
She said she doesn’t think she contracted the virus while working at the hospital, but instead came in contact with an elderly family member who was exposed to an infected caregiver.
Dr. Shadowen said her positive test result and the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Warren County, and other parts of the region, are evidence that the public must practice guidelines about social distancing and personal hygiene.
Indiana Death Toll Nearing 1,500
Indiana is reporting more than 400 new cases of COVID-19, along with 38 more deaths Wednesday. The state’s coronavirus death toll now stands at 1,482. Indiana has 25,473 positive COVID-19 tests.
Nine More Deaths, 260 New Cases in Tennessee
Tennessee’s death toll from COVID-19 now stands at 273, after the state reported nine new deaths Wednesday.
The state tested nearly 9,000 people since its last update, and found 260 new cases of coronavirus. Tennessee’s total number of COVID-19 cases now stands at 16,370.
Tuesday, May 12
Goodwill Industries of Kentucky Opening Dozens of Retail Stores
After temporarily closing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Goodwill Industries of Kentucky will re-open its 66 retail stores and donation centers next week. All stores will operate under normal business hours starting May 20.
In addition to opening its retail locations, the non-profit will re-open its Centers for Education & Employment, which serve job seekers who have disabilities or other barriers to entering the workforce. Goodwill Industries furloughed approximately 1,000 of its 1,700 employees across the state in March.
Tennessee Case Load Now Exceeds 16,000
Tennessee is reporting 567 new coronavirus cases Tuesday, bringing the state’s total number of positive tests to 16,111. Tennessee’s death toll from COVID-19 is now 265, following the announcement of 14 new deaths.
Ten New Cases in Kentucky’s Green River District
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Green River District continues to increase. Health Department officials report two new cases in Daviess County, with four new positive tests in both Henderson and Ohio counties.
The ten additional cases bring the total number of reported COVID-19 cases in the district to 531. Sixty-seven percent of people in the Green River district who have contracted the virus have recovered.
Curbside COVID-19 testing continues this week at clinic sites throughout the district.
Indiana Death Toll Now at 1,444
Indiana is reporting 33 more residents have died from COVID-19. That brings the death toll in the Hoosier State to 1,444. The number of COVID-19 deaths in Indiana is 4.5 times the death toll so far in Kentucky.
Indiana’s latest update also includes 566 new confirmed cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of positive tests in the state to 25,127.
Monday, May 11
10-year-old Kentuckian On A Ventilator Due To COVID-19
Kentucky reported 105 new cases of COVID-19 Monday and four additional deaths. The state now has 6,677 cases of coronavirus and 311 related deaths. Gov. Andy Beshear said a 10-year-old Kentuckian is on a ventilator due to COVID-19. At least 2,335 people in Kentucky have recovered from the virus.
Tennessee Reporting Over 500 New COVID-19 Cases
Tennessee reported 559 new cases of coronavirus Monday and eight additional deaths. The state now has 15,544 cases of COVID-19 and 251 related deaths. At least 8,038 people in Tennessee have recovered from the virus.
Green River District Reporting One New Coronavirus-Related Death
The Green River District Health Department is reporting six new cases of COVID-19 and one death related to the virus. Both Daviess and Ohio counties reported three cases of the coronavirus bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the district to 521. The COVID-19 related death was a Henderson County resident.
Nearly 314 people, or 60 percent of the people in the Green River district, who have contracted the virus have recovered. Curbside testing continues this week at clinic sites throughout the Green River district.
Corvette Plant Planning To Reopen in Two Weeks
The Corvette Assembly Plant in Bowling Green has announced plans to reopen in a little over two weeks. The Daily News reportsautomaker General Motors says it will begin what it calls a “cadenced restart” on May 26th.
Company leadership says work will resume with only one shift at first with the slow build up to two or three shifts if necessary.
Prior to halting production in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic the automaker had planned to hire around 500 additional employees to help meet demand for the 2020 Corvette. –Bowling Green Daily News
Indiana Reporting Over 500 New COVID-19 Cases
Indiana reported 511 new cases of coronavirus Monday and 32 additional deaths. The state now has 24,627 cases and 1,411 related deaths.
Friday, May 8
Kentucky Has Lost Nearly 300 People to COVID-19
Kentucky reported 176 new cases of coronavirus Friday and four additional deaths. The state now has 6,288 cases and 298 related deaths. At least 2,266 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.
Tennessee Has Over 14,000 Coronavirus Cases
Tennessee reported 345 new cases of coronavirus Friday and four additional deaths. The state now has 14,441 cases and 241 related deaths. At least 7,011 people in Tennessee have recovered from the virus.
More Than 1,300 Hoosiers Have Died From COVID-19
Indiana reported 675 new cases of COVID-19 and 33 additional deaths Friday. The state now has 23,146 cases and 1,328 related deaths.
Thursday, May 7
15 New Cases, No New Deaths in Kentucky's Green River District
The Green River District Health Department is reporting 15 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday. Six of those cases are in Ohio County. Five new cases are reported in Daviess County, with three in Henderson County, and one in McLean County.
The seven-county district now has a total of 476 confirmed cases of coronavirus.
The Green River District concludes its third day of testing Thursday on the campus of Owensboro Community and Technical College.
Wednesday, May 6
Kentucky Has Nearly 6,000 Cases of COVID-19
Kentucky reported 159 new cases of coronavirus Wednesday and eight additional deaths. The state now has 5,934 cases and 283 related deaths. At least 2,125 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus. Gov. Andy Beshear announced six additional coronavirus testing locations will open next week in Warren County.
Volunteer State Nearing 14,000 Cases
Tennessee’s total number of confirmed coronavirus cases is now 13,938. The state is also reporting 13 new deaths. That brings Tennessee’s COVID-19 death toll to 239. Tennessee has tested more than 227,000 residents, nearly four times the number of tests performed so far in Kentucky.
Death Toll in Hoosier State Nearing 1,300
Indiana is reporting hundreds of more coronavirus cases Wednesday, along with 51 additional deaths. The state’s death toll is now 1,264. The 862 new positive tests brings Indiana’s total caseload to 21,870.
Kentucky’s Green River District: 461 Confirmed Cases
The Green River District Health Department is reporting 17 new cases of COVID-19. Twelve of those cases are in Daviess County. There are two confirmed cases in Henderson County. McLean, Ohio, and Union counties each reported one new case.
The seven-county district now has a total of 461 confirmed cases of coronavirus. Fifty-percent of the people in the Green River district who have contracted the virus have recovered.
Tuesday, May 5
Kentucky Reports Highest Number of New COVID-19 Cases
Kentucky reported 625 new cases of coronavirus Tuesday and 14 additional deaths. The state now has 5,822 cases and 275 related deaths. At least 2,058 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.
Gov. Andy Beshear said about half of the new cases reported Tuesday are from the Green River Correctional Complex in Muhlenberg County, which has now tested everyone in the facility.
Tennessee Death Toll Increases by Seven
Tennessee’s coronavirus case total has increased by 119 Tuesday, with seven additional deaths. That brings the Volunteer State’s overall COVID-19 death toll to 226. Nearly 13,700 Tennessee residents have tested positive so far for the coronavirus.
Indiana’s Death Toll Now Exceeds 1,200
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Indiana is now more than 21,000. The latest update also pushed the Hoosier State’s COVID-19 death toll to 1,213.
Sixty-two new deaths were included in the latest update, along with 541 additional cases. Indiana has tested nearly 116,000 residents, with 18% turning up positive for COVID-19.
New Death Reported in Henderson County, Ky.
The Green River District Health Department is reporting 19 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday, and one related death. Eight of those cases are in Daviess County. There are seven confirmed cases in Ohio County. Henderson and Webster County each reported two new cases of COVID-19.
The latest death was a Henderson County resident. The seven-county district now has a total of 444 confirmed cases of coronavirus.
Meanwhile, drive-up COVID-19 testing continues on the campus of Owensboro Community and Technical College. All of the available testing times have been filled.
Monday, May 4
Beshear: Indiana Easing Restrictions Too Quickly
Gov. Andy Beshear says Indiana is reopening too quickly during the coronavirus pandemic, and that Kentuckians still shouldn’t travel to surrounding states unless it’s necessary. Starting Monday, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb allowed people across most of the state to gather in groups of up to 25 and eased restrictions on non-essential manufacturing and retail businesses allowing them to operate at 50 percent capacity. You can read more about this here.--Ryland Barton
Kentucky Surpasses 5,200 Coronavirus Cases
Kentucky reported 163 new cases of COVID-19 and eight additional deaths. The state now has 5,245 cases and 261 related deaths. At least 1,921 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.
Tennessee Reporting Nearly 400 New Cases
Tennessee reported 394 new cases of coronavirus Monday and 9 new deaths. The state now has 13,571 cases and 219 related deaths. At least 6,081 people in Tennessee have recovered from COVID-19.
No New Cases in Kentucky’s Green River District
For the first time since Easter Sunday, the Green River District Health Department reported no additional confirmed COVID-19 cases Monday. The current number of confirmed cases in the region is 425 with 49 people requiring hospitalization and 207 recovered cases.
Data finds the average age of patients testing positive is 44 years old with those affected ranging in age from 7 months to 93 years old.
The Green River District Health Department is holding drive-through COVID-19 testing Tuesday through Thursday on the campus of Owensboro Community and Technical College. Officials say all of the available testing times have been filled.
Indiana Reporting Nearly 20 New Coronavirus Deaths
Indiana reported 583 new cases of COVID-19 and 19 additional deaths Monday. The state now has 20,507 cases and 1,151 related deaths. At least 113,297 people in Indiana have been tested for the virus.
Friday, May 1
Kentucky's Number of Cases Close to 4,900
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said Friday the state has confirmed 177 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the commonwealth to 4,879.
Beshear also said eight more Kentucky residents have died. That brings the state’s death toll to COVID-19 to 248.
The governor said 1,125 tests were administered this week at the drive-up testing site in South Warren High School in Bowling Green. More than 5,100 tests were given at drive-up sites throughout the state this week.
Appointments for testing are still available for next week in Bowling Green and at Owensboro Community and Technical College.
Huge Spike in Tennessee Cases
Tennessee is seeing a huge jump in the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus. The state has 1,156 more cases since Thursday’s update, bringing the total number of positive tests to 11,891.
Five more Tennessee residents have died of COVID-19, bringing the state’s death toll to 204.
Green River Reporting 21 New Cases of COVID-19
The Green River District Health Department is reporting 21 new cases Friday. Nine of those are in Daviess County. There are four cases in both Henderson and Ohio counties. McClean County reported three new cases, and Webster has one new case of coronavirus. The district has now had a total of 386 COVID-19 cases. At least 181 people in the region have recovered from the virus.
Number of Indiana Cases Nearing 19,000
The coronavirus death toll in Indiana has increased by 55.
The total number of Hoosier State residents who have died from COVID-19 now stands at 1,062.
The state has seen 815 new confirmed cases since yesterday, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases to 18,630. Nearly 100,000 Hoosier State residents have been tested.
Thursday, April 30
Tennessee Has Lost Nearly 200 Residents
Tennessee’s total number of confirmed coronavirus test results has jumped by nearly 370 Thursday. The state has also recorded four more deaths.
That brings Tennessee’s death toll from COVID-19 to 199. The state now has more than 10,700 confirmed cases.
Indiana Now Has More Than 1,000 Coronavirus-Related Deaths.
Indiana reported 669 new cases of COVID-19 and 44 additional deaths. The state now has 17,835 cases of coronavirus and 1,007 related deaths. At least 94,998 people in Indiana have been tested for the virus.
Green River District Reporting One New Death
The Green River District reported 25 new cases of COVID-19 and one additional death. The latest death is in Daviess County, along with five of the new cases. Ohio County has 15 new cases. There are two new cases in Henderson and McClean counties, and Webster County has one new case.
The district has now had 365 cases of coronavirus and six related deaths. At least 173 people in the area have recovered from COVID-19.
Wednesday, April 29
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear Details Phase One Reopening
Kentucky reported 184 new cases of coronavirus Wednesday and 10 additional deaths. The state has 4,539 cases of COVID-19 and 235 related deaths. At least 1,668 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.
Governor Andy Beshear said Kentucky will begin its phased-in reopening of some workplaces if they can follow the 10 Healthy At Work rules and maintain social distancing.
Those workplaces include manufacturing, construction, auto dealerships, dog grooming and boarding, horse racing with no fans, and professional services with half the workforce.
Beshear said beginning May 20th retail and houses of worship will begin their phased-in reopening. He added May 25th the state will allow barbers, salons and other similar service will be allowed to open. The governor said social gatherings of 10 people or less will also be allowed.
Tennessee Reporting More Than 300 New Cases
Tennessee reported 314 new cases of coronavirus Wednesday and seven additional deaths. The state now has 10,336 cases and 195 related deaths. At least 5,140 people in Tennessee have recovered from the virus and 1,013 have been hospitalized due to COVID-19.
Indiana Reported Over 60 New Coronavirus Deaths
Indiana reported 605 new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday and 63 additional deaths. The state now has 17,182 confirmed cases and 964 related deaths. At least 91,550 people in Indiana have been tested for the virus so far.
Green River District Reporting 20 New Cases of Coronavirus
The Green River District Health Department reported 20 new cases of COVID-19. Fourteen of those are in Daviess County. There are two cases in both Henderson and Ohio Counties. Both McLean and Webster County reported one new case. The seven county district now has a total of 340 confirmed cases of coronavirus.
Eighteen people in the region are currently hospitalized. Nearly 50 percent of the people in the Green River district who have contracted the virus have recovered.
Tuesday, April 28
Kentucky Reported 230 New Cases of COVID-19
Kentucky reported 230 new cases of coronavirus and 12 additional deaths. The state now has 4,375 cases of COVID-19 and 224 deaths. At least 1,617 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus. Governor Andy Beshear said Kentucky now has only 37,000 unemployment claims in its backlog that were filed in March.
Green River District Has Seen 320 Cases So Far
Thirteen new COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Kentucky’s Green River District. Seven of those cases are in Daviess County, five are in Henderson County, and one case is in Ohio County. The latest update brings the total number of positive tests in the region to 320. Fourteen-percent of the region’s coronavirus patients have required hospitalization.
Tennessee Reporting Almost 5,000 People Have Recovered from COVID-19.
Tennessee reported 134 more cases of coronavirus Tuesday and four additional deaths. The state now has 10,052 cases and 188 related deaths. At least 4,921 people in Tennessee have recovered from the virus. There are 881 Tennesseans who have been hospitalized due to coronavirus, that’s 54 more since Monday.
Indiana Reporting 650 New Cases of Coronavirus
Indiana reported 650 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday and 57 additional deaths. The state now has 16,588 total cases and 901 related deaths.
Monday, April 27
Kentucky Reporting Less Than 100 Cases
Kentucky reported 87 new cases of coronavirus Monday and five additional deaths. The state now has 4,146 cases and 213 related deaths. At least 1,521 people have recovered from the virus.
Gov. Andy Beshear said Sunday the state processed about 150,000 backlogged unemployment claims, paying out about $174 million. He said the state will pay out 70,000 more claims Monday night for people who applied for unemployment in March.
Kentucky will begin its second phase of reopening for healthcare facilities on Wednesday, May 6th. That includes outpatient and ambulatory surgery and invasive procedures may resume. Those facilities must have a 14-day supply of all necessary personal protective equipment, along with other guidelines.
Tennessee Reporting Over 250 New Cases
Tennessee reported 251 new cases of coronavirus Monday and three additional deaths. The state now has 9,918 cases of COVID-19 and 184 related deaths. At least 4,720 people in Tennessee have recovered from the virus.
Indiana reporting Nearly 1,000 New COVID-19 Cases
Indiana reported 963 new cases of coronavirus Monday and 31 additional deaths. The state now has 15,961 cases of COVID-19 and 844 related deaths.
Green River Reporting New Cases
The Green River District Health Department reported three new cases of COVID-19 Monday. That’s in addition to 20 new cases reported over the weekend. The total number of confirmed cases in the seven-county district is 307. Districtwide, 142 people have recovered, and there have been 5 deaths related to COVID-19.
While people 60 and over are considered especially vulnerable to the virus, the Green River District has had 14 cases in youth 19 and under, with the youngest confirmed case an 11-year-old.
Green River District Public Health Director Clay Horton said, in general, the cases in those ages 11-to-16 have been due to household contacts with others who had the virus.
Sunday, April 26
Kentucky Surpasses 4,000 Coronavirus Cases
Kentucky reported 202 new cases of coronavirus Sunday, and three additional deaths. The state now has 4,074 cases of COVID-19 and 208 related deaths. At least 1,511 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.
Tennessee Reporting Over 450 New COVID-19 Cases
Tennessee reported 478 new cases of coronavirus Sunday and three additional deaths. The state now has 9,667 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 181 related deaths. At least 4,527 people in Tennessee have recovered from the virus.
Indiana Reporting More Than 600 New Cases of Coronavirus
Indiana reported 634 new cases of COVID-19 Sunday and 29 additional deaths. The state now has 15,012 total cases of coronavirus and 813 related deaths.
Green River District Reported Nearly 10 New Cases of COVID-19
The Green River District Health Department reported 9 new cases of coronavirus Sunday. Three of those are in Daviess County, and three are in Ohio County. Henderson County has two new confirmed cases, and there’s one new case in McLean County. The district has 304 total cases of COVID-19. At least 140 people in the Green River District have recovered from the virus.
Saturday, April 25
Kentucky Now Reporting More Than 200 Coronavirus Deaths
Kentucky is reporting 171 new cases of coronavirus Saturday and five new deaths. The Commonwealth has 3,905 confirmed cases and 205 related deaths. At least 1,501 Kentuckians have recovered from COVID-19.
Gov. Andy Beshear said the coronavirus testing site in Bowling Green will be open an additional day next week, Friday, May 1st.
Tennessee Reporting Over 400 New Cases of Coronavirus
Tennessee is reporting 463 new cases of COVID-19 and at least 8 additional deaths. The state now has 9,189 confirmed cases of the virus and 178 related deaths. At least 4,467 people in Tennessee have recovered from coronavirus.
Indiana Reporting More Than 700 New COVID Cases
Indiana reported 718 new cases of coronavirus Saturday and 44 additional deaths. The state now has 14,395 confirmed cases and 785 related deaths. According to the state’s website, of the 79,774 Hoosier’s who have been tested for the virus 18 percent were positive for COVID-19.
Green River District Reporting 11 New Coronavirus Cases
The Green River District Health Department reported 11 new COVID-19 cases Saturday. Of those confirmed cases five are in Daviess County, four are in Henderson County and two are in Ohio County. The district now has 295 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 15 people are currently hospitalized from the virus. At least 133 people in the Green River district have recovered from COVID-19.
Friday, April 24
Kentucky Reporting Highest Number of New Cases
Kentucky reported its single highest number of coronavirus cases in a single-day Friday with 322 new cases, bringing the state’s total to 3,779. The Commonwealth lost 9 more people to the virus, bringing the state’s total number of Kentuckians lost to 200. At least 1,341 people have recovered from coronavirus.
Governor Andy Beshear said the testing locations in Pikeville, Pulaski, Hopkins, and McCracken counties collectively tested 3,277 people in the three days they were open this week.
The new COVID-19 testing sites opening next week in Bowling Green, Lexington and Louisville are already fully booked. Those drive-up coronavirus testing sites will be open the following week to allow for more testing.
Beshear commuted an additional 352 people who are in county jails that have been convicted under state crimes that are non-violent, non-sexual that are near the end of their sentence and are at risk of contracting COVID-19.
Indiana Reporting More Than 600 New Cases of Coronavirus
Indiana reported 656 new positive cases of coronavirus Friday and 35 additional deaths. The state now has 13,680 cases and 741 related deaths.
Tennessee Reporting More Than 400 New COVID-19 Cases
Tennessee reported 460 new cases of coronavirus Friday. The state now has 8,726 cases and 168 reported deaths from COVID-19. At least 4,370 people in Tennessee have recovered from the illness.
Kentucky Meatpacking Plants Have Become Coronavirus Hotspots
Dozens of coronavirus cases have been confirmed at two west Kentucky meatpacking plants, following concerns Ohio Valley worker safety advocates have raised about the spread of the coronavirus in these kinds of facilities.
Green River District Health Department Director Clay Horton said as of Thursday afternoon at least 62 people associated with a Tyson Foods meatpacking plant in Henderson County have coronavirus. Horton also confirmed 19 cases at a Perdue Farms poultry processing plant in Ohio County. You can read more about this story here.--Liam Niemeyer, Ohio Valley ReSource
Nearly Two Dozen New Cases in Green River District
The Green River District Health Department has reported 22 new cases of COVID-19 in the seven-county region.
Nine are in Ohio County, and seven are in Daviess County. Five of the new cases are in Henderson County, and one is in Webster County. The youngest person in the district with a confirmed case of COVID-19 is 11 years old. The oldest is 93.
The Green River District has a total of 284 cases, and 131 of those patients have recovered. The district has had five deaths from the virus.
Kentucky Will Allow Voting By Mail in Upcoming Primary
Kentucky is expanding absentee voting during the coronavirus pandemic, allowing every voter to cast a ballot by mail or vote early during the state primary elections on June 23. Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams announced the changes on Friday. Read more about how Kentuckians will vote here.--Ryland Barton
Thursday, April 23
Tennessee Reporting Over 400 New Coronavirus Case
Tennessee is reporting 424 new COVID-19 cases and four additional deaths. The state now has 8,266 confirmed cases and 170 related deaths. At least 4,193 people in Tennessee have recovered from the virus.
New Death Reported in Henderson County; 21 New Cases in Green River District
The Green River District Health Department is reporting a new COVID-19 death in Henderson County. That brings the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in the seven-county region to five. Twenty-one new positive coronavirus tests have also been confirmed.
Ten of those are in Daviess County, and seven are in Ohio County. Henderson County has three new confirmed cases, and there’s one new case in McLean County.
The latest update increases the total number of positive coronavirus tests in the region to 262.
Indiana Reporting More Than 600 New COVID-19 Cases
Indiana has 612 new cases of coronavirus and 45 additional deaths. As of Thursday morning, the state now has 13,039 COVID-19 cases and 706 deaths from the virus.
Another Week, Another Huge Batch of Jobless Claims
Unemployment insurance claims are still reaching unprecedented levels across the Ohio Valley region.
Nearly 260,000 people in Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia joined those seeking help during the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic. That surge in claims is in addition to the more than one million unemployment assistance applications people in the Ohio Valley made since mid-March. You can read more about this storyhere.--Becca Schimmel, Ohio Valley ReSource and WKU Public Radio
Report: Dire Consequences for Kentucky if Social Distancing Abandoned
More than 4,000 people in Kentucky could die over the course of the coronavirus pandemic if social distancing and other mitigation tools were abandoned, according to a “best guess” model created by federal health officials in early April. Read more about this in a story published by the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reportinghere.
Wednesday, April 22
Kentucky Announces Additional Testing Locations
Kentucky reported 196 new cases of coronavirus Wednesday and 14 additional deaths. The Commonwealth now has 3,373 cases of COVID-19 and 185 related deaths. At least 1,311 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.
Governor Andy Beshear said the state is working to gradually reopen some medical services that closed because of the pandemic including diagnostic radiology, pre-anesthesia testing services and some in-person doctor visits.
The four drive-up testing sites in Madisonville, Paducah, Somerset and Pikeville administered 571 coronavirus tests Wednesday.
Beginning Tuesday and running through Thursday new coronavirus testing sites will open in Owensboro and Bowling Green.
Additionally, drive-up testing will begin next week in Lexington and Louisville. The locations will be in or close to predominately African American communities.
Beshear said all of the Kroger coronavirus testing sites are open to anyone who wants to get a test done.
Tennessee Reporting Nearly 450 New Cases of Coronavirus
Tennessee is reporting 448 new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday, and nine additional deaths. The state now has 7,842 cases of the virus and 166 related deaths. At least 4,012 people in Tennessee have recovered from coronavirus.
Indiana Reporting More Than 300 New Cases
Indiana now has 12,438 cases of coronavirus, an increase of 341 cases compared to Tuesday. The state is also reporting 661 people have died as a result of COVID-19—31 more than were reported Tuesday.
Half of New Cases in Green River District are In Daviess Co.
Twenty-two new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the seven-county Green River District. Eleven of those cases are in Daviess County, and seven are in Webster County. Henderson, McLean, Ohio, and Union counties are all reporting one new case each.
The Green River District Health Department says fourteen people with COVID-19 are currently hospitalized. The latest update brings the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the region to 241
Tuesday, April 21
Kentucky Loses 17 People to Coronavirus
Kentucky reported 177 new coronavirus cases Tuesday and 17 additional deaths. The state now has 3,192 COVID-19 cases and 171 related deaths. At least 1,266 Kentuckians have recovered from coronavirus.
Governor Andy Beshear said the COVID-19 drive-up testing sites in Pikeville, Somerset, Paducah, and Madisonville administered almost 700 coronavirus tests Tuesday.
Beshear said in long-term care facilities across the state 46 additional residents and 12 staff members have tested positive for coronavirus today. He said Tuesday 13 people in nursing homes across the Commonwealth have died as a result of complications from the virus.
Tennessee Recorded Over 150 New Cases of COVID-19
Tennessee reported 156 new cases of coronavirus and five additional deaths. According tothe Tennessean the state now has 7,394 COVID-19 cases and 157 people have died from the virus. At least 3,828 residents have recovered from coronavirus.
Cases Continue to Grow in Green River District
The Green River District Health Department reported 19 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday. That brings the total number of confirmed cases in the seven-county district to 219.
Of the total cases, 116 people, or about 53%, have recovered.
The ages of the patients are a reminder that while those over 60 or with underlying medical conditions are most vulnerable, the virus attacks people of all ages. The district has had seven teenagers, between the ages of 16 and 19, test positive for COVID-19.
The average age is 47, and the oldest patient is 93.
The virus has caused four deaths in the Green River district; three of those have been in Daviess County, with one in McLean County.
Indiana Death Toll Surges
State health officials say 61 more Indiana residents have died from COVID-19, pushing the state’s pandemic death toll to 630 as statewide coronavirus cases surpassed 12,000.
The Indiana State Department of Health says the 61 new deaths it reported Tuesday occurred between April 7 and Monday. --Associated Press
Monday April 20
Kentucky schools will remain closed to traditional learning for the rest of this academic year. School districts transitioned to non-instructional learning in mid-March after Governor Andy Beshear first recommended in-class learning cease due to the coronavirus outbreak. Beshear met with the state’s superintendents on Monday and announced that students will continue learning at home through the end of the school year, which for most districts, will be mid to late May.
Indiana Nears 12,000 Confirmed Cases
Indiana health officials say tests have confirmed that another 505 residents are infected with the coronavirus, bringing the state’s total number of cases to nearly 11,700.
Seven new COVID-19 deaths occurred between Wednesday and Sunday, boosting the statewide death toll to 569.
Almost 90 %of Indiana’s deaths have been among people ages 60 and older, but the state health department website shows at least one person in their 20s has died.
Kentucky’s Green River District Sees Increase of Four Cases
Four new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the Green River District of Kentucky, bringing that region’s number of confirmed cases to 200.
Three new cases have been discovered in Henderson County, with Webster County accounting for the other new case.
Eleven patients in the seven-county district are currently hospitalized because of COVID-19.
At least 100 residents in the region have recovered.
Sunday, April 19
Kentucky Reporting Most Cases Yet
Kentucky reported its highest number of COVID-19 cases in a single day on Sunday with 273 new cases. Four more Kentuckians died as a result of the virus Sunday. The Commonwealth has 2,960 total cases and 148 related deaths. At least 1,222 people in the state have recovered from the illness.
Tennessee Has Over 300 New Coronavirus Cases
Tennessee reported 308 new cases of COVID-19 Sunday and 3 additional deaths. The state now has 7,070 confirmed cases and 148 related deaths. At least 3,344 people in Tennessee have recovered from coronavirus.
Indiana Surpasses 11,000 COVID-19 Cases
Indiana reported 577 new cases of COVID-19 and 17 related deaths on Sunday. The state now has 11,210 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 562 deaths.
Green River Has 16 New Coronavirus Cases
The Green River District Health Department reported 16 new cases of COVID-19 Sunday. Of those, 11 are in Daviess County and 3 are in Henderson County. McLean and Ohio County each have one additional case of coronavirus. There are now 196 confirmed cases in the district. At least 96 people have recovered from the illness.
Saturday, April 18
Kentucky Reporting More Than 200 New Cases
Kentucky reported its second highest number of coronavirus cases in one 24-hour period Saturday. The state has 212 new cases and seven additional deaths. Kentucky now has 2,707 cases of COVID-19 and 144 related deaths. At least 1,174 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.
Governor Andy Beshear said Saturday was the last day for Kenton County coronavirus testing site and there were more than 212 tests administered. In the four days it was open, there were 848 tests done.
Tennessee Reporting Three COVID-19 Deaths
Tennessee reported 173 new coronavirus cases Saturday, and three related deaths. The state now has 6,762 total cases and 145 deaths from the virus. At least 3,234 people in the state have recovered from COVID-19.
Indiana Reporting More Than 500 New Coronavirus Cases
Indiana reported 529 new cases Saturday and 26 additional coronavirus-related deaths. The state now has 10,641 cases of COVID-19 and 545 related deaths.
Green River District Reporting 13 New COVID-19 Cases
The Green River District Health Department reported 13 new cases of coronavirus Saturday. Eight of those new cases were in Daviess County, three were in Henderson and two have been reported in Ohio County. As of Saturday, the district has 180 coronavirus cases.
Friday, April 17
Eight More Kentuckians Have Died from COVID-19
Kentucky reported 134 new cases of coronavirus Friday, bringing the state’s total to more than 2,522. Eight more Kentuckians have died from coronavirus. To date, 137 people in the state have died as a result of COVID-19.
Governor Andy Beshear said the Kenton County testing site administered 212 coronavirus tests Friday.
Tennessee Reporting More Than 300 New Cases of COVID-19
Tennessee reported 327 new coronavirus cases Friday and one additional death. The state now has 6,589 confirmed cases and 142 related deaths. At least 3,017 people in Tennessee have recovered from COVID-19.
Ten New Cases in Green River District
The Green River District Health Department is reporting 10 new COVID-19 cases. Three of those are in Daviess County. Henderson, Union and Webster Counties have two cases each, and there is one new confirmed case of coronavirus in Hancock County.
The district now has 167 people who have been diagnosed with the virus. Of those cases, 30 have required hospitalization and 81 individuals have recovered from COVID-19.
Indiana Reporting More than 10,000 Total Cases of Coronavirus
Indiana is reporting 642 new cases of COVID-19 and 42 additional deaths. The state now has more than 10,154 coronavirus cases and 519 related deaths.
Thursday, April 16
10-Day Old Infant in Kentucky has Coronavirus
Kentucky reported Thursday there are 159 new cases of COVID-19 virus and seven new deaths. The state is reporting a total of 2,429 cases and 129 deaths. One of those cases is a 10-day old infant. At least 956 people have recovered from the virus.
Governor Andy Beshear announced four additional coronavirus testing sites in Madisonville, Paducah, Somerset and Pikeville. Those testing locations will open April 21 and close April 23. There are already two testing sites operating in Frankfort and Kenton County. The temporary drive-up locations administered 429 tests Thursday.
Beshear said Lake Barkley and Lake Cumberland State Parks will be used starting Sunday for people who need to be isolated, but do not need intensive medical care and do not have a safe or available place to recover from the virus.
The governor also said the state is partnering with Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin to develop a plan for reopening businesses.
Green River Has Nine New Cases of Coronavirus
Nine new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the Green River Region of Kentucky Thursday. Daviess and Hancock counties have both recorded three new cases. Henderson County has two new cases, and Webster County is reporting one.
There have been 157 confirmed coronavirus cases to date in the seven-county region. Ninety-five of those have been in Daviess County.
Indiana Reporting nearly 10,000 COVID-19 Cases
Indiana reported 587 new cases of COVID-19 and 41 additional deaths. The state now has 9,542 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 477 related deaths. --WFPL
Over 140 People In Tennessee Have Died from Coronavirus
Tennessee reported 183 new coronavirus cases Thursday and 6 new deaths. The state now has 6,262 confirmed cases and 141 related deaths. At least 2,786 people have recovered from the virus.
Wednesday, April 15
Kentucky Has Nearly 2,300 Coronavirus Cases
Kentucky reported at least 88 new cases of coronavirus Wednesday and seven additional deaths. The state now has 2,291 cases of COVID-19 and 122 related deaths. At least 862 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus. Governor Andy Beshear said there are about 50 confirmed cases that are not yet included in the state’s total.
Beshear said the Frankfort testing site administered 155 coronavirus tests Wednesday and the Kenton County site tested more than 200 people. The governor also announced a co-immunity project which will test health care workers for antibodies.
Tennessee Passes 6,000 Coronavirus Cases
Tennessee is reporting 256 new cases of COVID-19 and 11 additional deaths. The state now has 6,079 cases and 135 total deaths as a result of the virus. At least 2,196 people in Tennessee have recovered from COVID-19
Nearly 50 New Deaths Reported in Indiana
Indiana’s death toll from the coronavirus outbreak has nearly quadrupled since the beginning of the month, as state health officials have reported 49 additional deaths.
The new COVID-19 deaths announced Wednesday occurred between March 28 and Tuesday, increasing Indiana’s death toll to 436. Tests also confirmed 440 more COVID-19 illnesses, boosting Indiana’s total number of cases to nearly 9,000.
Indiana’s state health commissioner expects the coronavirus illness peak in late April for the Indianapolis area, and the first weeks of May for the rest of the state.--Associated Press
Coronavirus Takes A Terrible Toll On Ohio Valley Nursing Homes
The coronavirus is taking a terrible toll on nursing homes in the Ohio Valley. Well over a thousand residents and staff at nursing homes and long-term care facilities in Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia have tested positive for coronavirus, and dozens have died from COVID-19.
Residents in these facilities are already more vulnerable, and in many cases, the facilities were running low on protective equipment even before the pandemic hit.
Figures supplied Tuesday by Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear showed 217 residents and 127 staff members had tested positive for coronavirus at 33 facilities around the state; 33 residents and one staff member have died.
Betsy Johnson is the president of theKentucky Association of Healthcare Facilities, a trade association that represents nursing facilities across the state. She said facilities in the region were already running low on personal protective equipment after a significant flu season.
“So we were utilizing our supplies for the flu season and then this hit,” she said. “And of course, the supply chain got broken because a lot of this equipment is made in China and so we were not getting the supplies shipped to the United States.”
You can read more about how COVID-19 is impacting nursing homes in the region here.
Tuesday, April 14
Kentucky Opening More Drive-Up Testing Sites
Kentucky reported 177 new cases of coronavirus Tuesday, and eleven more deaths as a result of the virus. The state now has 2,210 hundred COVID-19 cases and 115 related deaths.
Governor Andy Beshear says the drive-up coronavirus testing site that opened Monday in Frankfort administered nearly 180 coronavirus tests and will be open for two more days. The Kenton County site will open Wednesday and be open for four days.
15 More People in Tennessee Die from Coronavirus
Tennessee reported 213 new cases of COVID-19 today/yesterday, and 15 new deaths. The state now has more than 5,823 and 124 total deaths from the virus. At least 1,969 people in Tennessee have recovered from the coronavirus.
Kentucky Nursing Home Employee Dies from Coronavirus
An Adair county nursing home employee has died from complications of the novel coronavirus. The Herald-Leader reportsPamela Hughes worked at Signature HealthCARE of Summit Manor nursing home since 1988.
There’s been a rise in coronavirus cases recently among residents and employees of Kentucky nursing homes. At least 300 residents and staff members at 32 nursing homes in the commonwealth have tested positive for the virus.
Indiana Reporting Nearly 40 new coronavirus-related deaths
Indiana reported about 300 new cases of coronavirus Tuesday and 37 additional deaths. The state now has 8,527 confirmed cases and 387 related deaths.
In Green River District, 13 New COVID Cases
Thirteen new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the seven-county Green River District. Eight of the new cases are in Daviess County; three are in Ohio County; and there is one new case in both Henderson and Union counties.
The latest figures released Tuesday bring the total number of known coronavirus cases in the region to 143. Twenty-percent of those cases have required hospitalization, while almost half of the region’s coronavirus patients have recovered.
Monday, April 13
Nearly 100 People Tested on First Day of Drive-Thru Testing
Kentucky is reporting 87 new coronavirus cases and seven additional deaths. The state now has 2,048 cases of COVID-19 and 104 related deaths. Nearly 630 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.
Governor Andy Beshear said Monday 97 people were tested during the first day of a new drive-up coronavirus testing service in Frankfort. The state is partnering with Kroger, UPS and Gravity Diagnostics for the service.
Beshear said there are now 250 beds on-site at a field hospital being built at the fairgrounds in Louisville. And the Governor said Kentucky processed 100,692 unemployment payments Sunday, totaling about $50.45 million.
Tennessee Reporting More Than 300 New Cases
Tennessee reported 302 new cases of COVID-19 Monday along with eight additional deaths. The state now has 5,610 confirmed coronavirus cases and 109 related deaths. There are 1,671 people in Tennessee who have recovered from the virus.
Indiana Reporting More than 8,000 Coronavirus Cases
Seven more Indiana residents have died from COVID-19. The update announced Monday brings the coronavirus death toll in the Hoosier State to 350. Indiana is also reporting 308 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the state’s total number of positive tests to 8,236.
Green River District Health Department Reporting One New Case
Only one new case of COVID-19 is being reported Monday in the seven-county Green River District. The new case is in Daviess County, bringing the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the region to 130. Eighty-two of those cases are in Daviess County. Henderson County has the second most cases, with 23. There are eight cases in Ohio County. Ten patients in the region remain hospitalized, and there have been four deaths.
Sunday, April 12
Kentucky reported 134 new cases of COVID-19 Sunday bringing the state’s total to 1,963. Three more Kentuckians have passed away as a result of coronavirus, bringing the state’s death total from COVID-19 to 97. At least 607 people in the state have recovered from the virus.
Gov. Andy Beshear said Kentucky has a new partnership with Kroger to test up to 20,000 people statewide over about the next five weeks. Kroger will provide medical staff and personal protective equipment. The state is working with UPS and Gravity Diagnostics that will help provide a 48-hour turnaround for testing results.
Testing is limited to health care workers, first responders, people aged 65 years and older, and people with a chronic condition.
The first drive-thru testing site will be in Frankfort, and others are expected to be announced later in the week.
People can register for testing online, and they will be emailed their appointment date if they are eligible for testing. Beshear said Kroger is not charging the state for the drive-thru testing, but the state is paying for the testing kits and the shipping.
Indiana Reporting Nearly 500 New Coronavirus Cases
Indiana reported 493 new cases of COVID-19 Saturday, and 13 additional deaths. The state now has 7,928 confirmed cases and 343 related deaths.
Tennessee Reporting Almost 200 New COVID-19 Cases
Tennessee reported 194 new coronavirus cases Saturday, and no new deaths. The state now has 5,308 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 101 deaths. About 1,504 people in Tennessee have recovered from the virus.
Saturday, April 11
Kentucky Reporting Four New Deaths
Kentucky reported 185 new coronavirus cases Saturday and four additional deaths. The state now has 1,840 cases and 94 deaths related to COVID-19.
Beshear said by Sunday the National Guard will be in every area of the state to transport patients to where they can be helped.
Indiana Reporting 30 More Coronavirus Deaths
Indiana reported 528 new coronavirus cases Saturday and 30 additional deaths. The state now has 7,435 cases and 330 total deaths from the virus.
Tennessee Reporting More Than 250 New Cases
Tennessee reported Saturday the state has 252 new cases today and three new deaths. The state now has 5,114 cases and 101 deaths. At least 1,386 people in Tennessee have recovered from COVID-19.
Green River District Health Department Has One Additional Death
The Green River District Health Department reported two additional coronavirus cases, both in Daviess County. GRDHD has one additional death Saturday from the virus. The district has at least 129 cases of COVID-19.
Friday, April 10
Kentucky Reporting Record Number of New Cases
Kentucky is reporting its largest single-day increase with 242 new coronavirus cases, bringing the state’s total to nearly 1,693. Gov. Andy Beshear said 11 more Kentuckians have lost their lives due to COVID-19. At least 90 people in the state have died from coronavirus.
Beshear said any individual that participates in a mass gathering this weekend will have their license plates recorded. That information will then be given to local health departments who will make sure those people will quarantine at home for 14 days.
There are 75 new cases of COVID-19 today at nursing homes across the state and 2 additional deaths. Green River Correctional Complex and Western State Psychiatric Hospital reported three cases each.
Tennessee Reporting Nearly 230 New Coronavirus Cases
Tennessee is reporting 228 new coronavirus cases and four additional deaths. The state now has a total of 4,862 cases and 98 related deaths. About 1,145 people in Tennessee have recovered from the virus.
Kentucky’s Green River Region Up to 127 Cases
Eight new cases of COVID-19 have been reported across the seven-county Green River District. Seven of the new cases are in Daviess County, and one is in Ohio County.
Friday’s update brings the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Green River District to 127. The majority of those cases, 79, are in Daviess County. Three people in the region have died, and ten remain hospitalized.
Indiana Reports Nearly 100 Deaths in Past 48 Hours
State health officials say 55 more Indiana residents have died from COVID-19-related illnesses That pushes the state’s death toll during the coronavirus pandemic to 300.
The 55 deaths reported Friday by the Indiana State Department of Health is the largest number the state agency has reported since the pandemic began, followed by the 42 deaths it reported Thursday.
The agency said an additional 568 Indiana residents have confirmed cases of COVID-19, pushing that state’s case total to 6,907.—Associated Press
Thursday, April 9
Kentucky Reporting Six More Coronavirus Deaths
Governor Andy Beshear said Kentucky has 134 new cases of coronavirus today, and six additional deaths. The state now has at least 1,452 confirmed cases and 77 related deaths. Nearly 400 Kentuckians have recovered from COVID-19.
Beshear said because people weren’t practicing social distancing the state is closing Natural Bridge state park and Cumberland falls state park.
The governor announced a new Executive order that will expand workers’ compensation to allow temporary total disability payments to more workers. The order includes people who work in childcare, grocery stores, the postal service, domestic violence shelters, national guard, corrections, social workers, rape crisis centers and others.
Green River Correctional Complex has one new inmate and one new staff member who have tested positive for the virus.
Western State Psychiatric Hospital is reporting three additional staff members have confirmed cases of COVID-19.
At long-term care facilities, 32 additional residents and 13 staff members have tested positive for the virus. Nursing homes across the state have lost three more people to the illness today.
More than 275,000 Kentuckians seek jobless aid in 3 weeks
More than 275,000 Kentucky residents have filed for unemployment benefits over the past three weeks. The surge comes as the coronavirus pandemic causes widespread economic damage.
The U.S. Labor Department reported Thursday 117,135 Kentuckians filed unemployment claims last week. That’s an increase of nearly 4,000 people from the week before. --Associated Press
Christian County Hospital Laying 250 People Off Amidst COVID Surge
A hospital in Christian County laid off 250 employees this week, at the same time the area is reporting its first deaths from coronavirus. The move by Jennie Stuart Health comes at a time when Hopkinsville and other parts of the western Kentucky region are seeing a surge in new coronavirus cases.
The hospital said it worked to retain people who were managing the spike in patients, while making cuts in other services. The facility has seen declines in revenue since elective procedures were suspended following a statewide request from Governor Andy Beshear last month.
A spokesperson for Jennie Stuart said the hospital hopes to eventually recall those who were laid-off, but it’s unclear how well the facility will bounce back from the economic downturn. --Courier-Journal
Tennessee Reporting 15 Coronavirus-Related Deaths
Tennessee reported 272 new cases of coronavirus Thursday, and 15 additional deaths. The state now has more than 46-hundred cases of the virus, and 94 total deaths. More than 900 Tennesseans have recovered from COVID-19.
Green River District Has Nearly 120 Coronavirus Cases
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Green River District region now stands at 119. Four new cases were reported Thursday. Two of those are in Henderson County, with one in both Daviess and Webster counties.
The Green River District Health Department is also reporting eight additional individuals who have recovered after testing positive for COVID-19. Ten people in the seven-county district remain hospitalized.
More than 400 New Cases in Hoosier State
Indiana is reporting another 408 people have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the state total to 6,351, as of Thursday morning. Forty-two more people have died, bringing the state’s death total to 245.
Wednesday, April 8
Kentucky Reporting Highest Single-Day Increase Yet
Kentucky is reporting 204 new cases of coronavirus Wednesday, which is the largest single-day increase yet. The state now has 1,346 confirmed cases. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said eight more Kentuckians have died as a result of coronavirus.
The Governor filed a new executive order limiting essential travel to groceries and pharmacies to only one person per household. There are exceptions in the order for people with young children or other people in the household who can’t be left alone. The order also eliminated door-to-door solicitation. The state has renewed an executive order allowing people to renew their prescriptions without having to go to the doctor.
Beshear said there are now 72 long-term care residents who have tested positive for COVID-19. Thirty-five staff members also have the virus. There have been 13 coronavirus-related deaths in nursing homes across the state.
One additional staff member at Green River Correctional Complex has tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in the facility to 15.
Beshear said Western State Psychiatric hospital in Hopkinsville has been hit hard. The facility reported two new deaths Wednesday. Western State now has 16 total cases.
Kentuckians will now have access to the additional $600 in unemployment assistance from a federal stimulus bill.
Beshear announced the first state park used to quarantine health workers will be Kentucky Dam Village in Gilbertsville.
Tennessee Reports Seven COVID-19 Deaths
Tennessee is reporting 224 new cases of coronavirus Wednesday and 7 additional deaths. The state now has 4,362 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 79 deaths from the virus. Nearly 600 Tennessee residents have recovered from coronavirus.
Green River District Health Dept.: 14 New Cases, Two More Deaths
The Green River District Health Department is reporting 14 new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday. Eight of those new cases are in Daviess County, 3 in Webster County, and one each in Henderson, McLean, Ohio and Webster counties.
That brings the total to 115 cases in the seven-county district. Ten patients are currently hospitalized. Two people in the district have died as a result of contracting COVID-19, one in
Daviess County and one in McLean County. So far, 38 people in the Green River region have recovered from the virus.
Hundreds of New Cases in Indiana, 30 More Deaths
Indiana is reporting another large increase of cases Wednesday: 436 more people have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the state total to 5,943. Thirty more people have died, bringing the state’s death total to 203.--WFPL
Tuesday, April 7
Kentucky Reporting Largest One-Day Spike in Coronavirus Cases
Gov. Andy Beshear said Kentucky has 147 new cases today, bringing the state’s total cases to 1,149. This is the highest number of new cases in any one day. Seven more Kentuckians have died as a result of coronavirus today. The Commonwealth has now lost 65 people to the virus.
Beshear said in the long-term care facilities across the state, 55 residents and 22 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19. Eleven nursing home residents across the state have died as a result of the virus.
The Governor said there are now 14 cases at the Green River Correctional Complex. Nine of those are inmates and five are staff members. Additionally, there are 13 confirmed cases at Western State Hospital, nine of those are patients and four are staff.
Deputy Secretary of Kentucky’s Education and Workforce Development cabinet, Josh Benton, said people should disregard letters that were sent out saying they weren’t approved for unemployment assistance. He said people may receive their first payment before they get their letter approving their benefit claim.
Tennessee Nursing Home Reports Nine More Deaths
Nine people have now died in a coronavirus outbreak at a northern Tennessee nursing home where more than 100 people tested positive. Sumner Regional Medical Center spokesman Kyle Brogdon confirmed the additional fatalities from the Gallatin Center for Rehabilitation and Healing.
Tennessee health officials said more than 70 residents, and more than 30 staffers tested positive at the facility, which was temporarily evacuated. The state hired a private company to clean the facility. Residents who tested negative or tested positive and recovered have been allowed to return.
Tennessee Coronavirus Cases Continue Growing
Tennessee is reporting 336 new cases Tuesday and seven additional deaths. The state now has 4,138 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 72 related deaths.
Sen. Rand Paul recovered from coronavirus
Kentucky Senator Rand Paul says he has recovered from the coronavirus. The Bowling Green Republican tested positive for the virus in March, making him the first U.S. Senator to have a confirmed case of COVID-19. Paul said he has since been re-tested, and the results came back negative. --Associated Press
Another Big Jump for Indiana COVID Cases
Indiana is reporting another large increase of coronavirus cases Tuesday, with 563 more people testing positive for COVID-19. That brings the state total to just over 5,507. Thirty-four more people have died, bringing Indiana’s death total to 173.
Six New Confirmed Cases in GRDHD Region
The Green River District Health Department is reporting six new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday in its seven-county region: five in Daviess County and one in Henderson County.
That brings the total in the Green River district to 101 confirmed cases. The age of patients ranges from 18-85. Twelve patients are currently in the hospital. There are also 33 people in the Green River district who have recovered from the virus.
Monday, April 6
Kentucky reported 54 new cases Monday and 14 additional deaths. The state now has 1,008 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 59 related deaths.Governor Andy Beshear said nearly 19,955 people have been tested in the state, but he thinks that number is low.
Beshear said Kentucky will begin using cabins in the state parks to house first responders who need to be quarantined.
Tennessee Seeing Slower Increase in Cases, Increase in Deaths
Tennessee is reporting 169 new cases, Monday, and 21 new coronavirus-related deaths. The state now has 3,802 COVID-19 cases and 65 deaths.
Fayette County Bus Driver One of Seventeen With COVID-19
A Kentucky school district is being criticized for its safety precautions after a district bus driver died from COVID-19. Fayette County Schools bus driver Eugenia Higgins Weathers passed away over the weekend.
Her daughter is also a school bus driver, and said her mother isn’t the only transportation employee working at a Lexington bus garage who has contracted the coronavirus. Seventeen people working at the Miles Point garage have tested positive for COVID-19.
Fayette County Public Schools is the second-largest employer in the county. --Herald-Leader
Tennessee Providing Help for Rural Health Care
Gov. Bill Lee is earmarking $10 million in grants for small and rural hospitals, his office announced Monday. The grants come as many such hospitals are facing financial strain due to COVID-19 and the state ban on elective procedures, a main source of revenue for hospitals.
“Small and rural hospitals are critical to fighting COVID-19 and these grants will help complement federal aid dollars to ensure hospitals can continue delivering care through this crisis,” Gov. Lee said in an emailed statement.
The grants are capped at $500,000 per hospital.--WPLN
Indiana Coronavirus Cases Surging
Indiana is reporting 4,944 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 139 related deaths. Monday’s update reflects an increase of 533 new cases and 12 additional deaths.
Four New Cases in Green River District
The Green River District Health Department is reporting four new cases of COVID-19 within its service area. Three of those new cases are in Henderson County, and one is in McLean County.
That brings the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the region to 95. Two of those patients have died, and 13 people are hospitalized with the virus.
Currently, 26 people in the Green River district have recovered from the virus: 21 in Daviess County, three in Henderson, and one each in Hancock and Union counties. The average age of people who have contracted the virus is 52, although the ages of those with confirmed cases ranges from 20-85.
Sunday, April 5
Kentucky reported 38 new cases of COVID-19 Sunday and 5 additional deaths. Governor Andy Beshear said the number of new cases is lower because fewer labs report to the state on Sunday. According to the state’s website the Commonwealth has at least 955 confirmed cases and 45 related deaths. As of Sunday, about 306 people have recovered from the virus.
Beshear sad the state expects to reach its peak level of new cases in early May. He said influenza cases are also down because of social distancing. The governor said Kentucky has entered into an agreement with Gravity Diagnostics that will provide up to 2,000 coronavirus tests a day, if the state can get enough swabs.
Beshear said 334 National Guard members are “engaged” across the state to help at hospitals and food banks.
Tennessee reported about 312 new cases of coronavirus and one additional death Sunday. The state now has 3,633 COVID-19 cases and 44 related deaths.
Indiana has at least 4,441 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 127 related deaths. That’s 457 new cases as of Sunday and 11 additional deaths.
Saturday, April 4
Gov. Andy Beshear said Kentucky had 92 new confirmed cases of COVD-19 and three more people have died from the virus. The Commonwealth now has 917 cases of coronavirus and 40 related deaths.
Beshear advised in settings where it’s difficult to maintain social distancing, the CDC is advising people wear a cloth mask. He said that no one besides a health care provider should wear a surgical or n95 mask.
Over 250 New Cases Reported in Tennessee
According to the state’s website, Tennessee had 254 new cases of coronavirus Saturday and six additional deaths. The state is reporting a total of 3,321 confirmed cases and 43 coronavirus-related deaths.
Indiana Has Nearly 4,000 Cases of Coronavirus.
The state of Indiana now has at least 3,953 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 116 coronavirus-related deaths. That’s 516 new cases Saturday and 14 additional deaths for Indiana.
Green River District Health Department Reporting 12 New Cases
The Green River District Health Department reported 12 new cases of COVID-19 Saturday. Daviess and Ohio counties have 3 additional confirmed cases. Henderson County is reporting 4 more people have coronavirus and McLean County has 2 additional cases of the virus. GRDHD said the district now has 90 cases of COVID-19. Twenty people in the area have recovered.
Friday, April 3
4:45 p.m.: Governor Andy Beshear said at least 228 people have fully recovered from coronavirus and there have been about 15,572 people tested for the virus.
4:06 p.m.: According to the state's website, Kentucky now has 831 cases of COVID-19 and 37 coronavirus-related deaths.
Northern Kentucky Woman Suing Beshear Over Executive Order Limiting Travel
A Campbell County resident is alleging Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear’s executive order restricting travel to, and from, other states violates her constitutional rights. The northern Kentucky woman says the order prevents her from seeing friends and family in Ohio from a safe distance.
The suit is seeking an injunction against Beshear’s order, barring out-of-state travel except for Kentuckians who travel for work, groceries, health care, taking care of a loved one, or complying with a court order.
The order is enforceable by police, and those who violate it are subject to a 14-day self-quarantine when they return.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced a similar order yesterday that goes into effect Monday. --The Herald-Leader
Tennessee Cases Continue Increase
The state of Tennessee on Friday reported it has 3,067 cases of coronavirus—that’s 222 more since Thursday. As of Friday, 37 Tennesseans have died from COVID-19, five more since the last update.
Kentucky Bioprocessing Hoping to Create Coronavirus Vaccine
An Owensboro-based company has a potential coronavirus vaccine in pre-clinical testing. Kentucky Bioprocessing operates a facility at MidAmerica Park in Daviess County, inserting genes into tobacco plants to create vaccines and other medical-related products.
The Messenger-Inquirer reports the company has been working on a coronavirus vaccine since Chinese health authorities released the genetic sequence of the virus. Scientists with Kentucky Bioprocessing have been studying the structure over the past several months in hopes of generating a vaccine.
A statement from Kentucky Bioprocessing’s parent company, British American Tobacco, says they hope to eventually produce between 1 million and 3 million doses of the vaccine a week. However, the statement says any such production wouldn’t start until June, at the earliest.
A report published this week says at least 19 companies are working on vaccines against the coronavirus.—The Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer
Lyon County Nursing Home Residents, Workers to Be Tested
Officials in Lyon County will test some 40 people who live and work in a nursing home in the western Kentucky town of Kuttawa.
A 94-year-old resident of the River’s Bend Retirement Community tested positive for the COVID-19 disease this week. She was not allowed back after the positive test and is living with family in Tennessee.
Lyon County Judge Executive Wade White said state officials were reluctant to provide enough tests, but they’ve agreed to give at least ten of them. The rest will come from local hospitals.
White said the tests are imperative to stem the spread of the virus in the 40-bed facility. Staff at the nursing home refused to provide a comment.—Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting
University of Kentucky to Set Up Field Hospital
The University of Kentucky has announced plans to open a field hospital on the Lexington campus in response to coronavirus. It will be situated in the Nutter Field House sports training facility.
U.K. Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Dr. Mark Newman, said the extra beds may not be needed, but it’s important to be prepared in case they are. Newman added he hopes the Lexington field hospital will be ready to open in about two weeks.
U.K. announced Friday there are eight inpatients at the university’s hospital who tested positive for COVID-19. Newman said U.K. hospital has well over 900 existing beds.
Indiana Coronavirus-Related Deaths And Positive Cases Climb
The state of Indiana reported 24 new coronavirus-related deaths Friday and at least 398 new cases of COVID-19. Indiana now has 3,437 cases of the virus and 102 people have died from the respiratory illness.
Twelve New COVID Cases in Green River Region
Among the updates on COVID-19 cases being reported daily by the Green River District Health Department, there is a hopeful detail: the number of people who have recovered from the virus.
Of 78 cases reported to date in the district, 17 people have recovered, all of them in Daviess County.
The seven-county Green River district reported 12 new cases Friday: eight in Daviess County, three in Henderson, and one in Union County. Six of the people in the district with confirmed cases of COVID-19 are hospitalized.
Thursday, April 2
Tennessee to 'Stay at Home'
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has issued a “stay at home” order for Volunteer State residents.
Lee was under growing pressure from medical professionals and city leaders to require Tennesseans to stay home unless they’re traveling for essential activities.
Lee said in a statement Thursday afternoon that he decided to issue a new executive order after traffic and cellphone mobility data revealed that movement around the state has been on the rise in recent days, even after he issued a less strict “Safer at Home” recommendation.--WPLN
Lee’s latest executive order will remain in effect through April 14.
Five New Cases Reported Thursday in Kentucky’s Green River District
Five new COVID-19 cases have been confirmed Thursday in the seven-county region served by the Green River District Health Department.
Daviess and McLean counties each have two new cases since the last update, and Hancock County has one new case.
That brings the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Green River District to 66.
Six of those individuals are currently hospitalized.
Daviess County has the most confirmed cases in the region, with 47.
Louisville Law Enforcement Warn of Bogus Testing Sites
Louisville police are investigating several pop-up coronavirus test sites that the Metro Council president says are “scams.”
The Courier-Journal reportsthe sites are operated by medical marketing companies and charge around $200 per test.
They’re being promoted on local television, and some doctors are referring patients to them. But government officials are advising residents to avoid the sites.
Indiana Cases, Deaths Continue to Spike
New numbers out from Indiana Thursday show an increase of 474 people with confirmed COVID-19 tests, for a total of 3,039 positive cases.
Seventy-eight Indiana residents have died from the coronavirus.--Associated Press
Wednesday, April 1
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said the state now has 687 cases of COVID-19 and at least 20 coronavirus-related deaths. Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer announced an additional death in his city Wednesday, but the state has not been able to confirm that yet. Beshear said the Commonwealth has done more than 10,000 COVID-19 tests.
The state has reviewed and processed about 70,000 unemployment claims in at least the past 10 days. The governor said the state sent out notices Tuesday night accepting more than 40,000 unemployment applications.
Tennessee had 444 new cases Wednesday, and one additional death. The state now has 2,683 positive cases of COVID-19 and 24 coronavirus-related deaths.
The state of Indiana is reporting 406 new cases of coronavirus and 16 related deaths. Indiana now has 2,565 positive cases of COVID-19 and 65 deaths from the virus.
Tuesday, March 31
Gov. Andy Beshear: ‘This is a Tough Day on Nearly Every Metric’
According to the state’s website, Kentucky has at least 111 new cases of coronavirus Tuesday and seven more deaths. The Commonwealth now has 591 cases of COVID-19 and 18 coronavirus-related deaths.
During his regular update, Gov. Andy Beshear said he signed an executive order allowing localities to re-hire recently retired law enforcement and firefighters without any negative impact on their retirement pay. He said the state has been allowing child care facilities to remain open for first responders and medical workers. The governor is expanding that to include grocery store workers.
There will be drive-thru testing in Franklin County. Beshear said it will be a “proof of concept.” The University of Louisville lab will process those tests.
Beshear said he expects there will be a resurgence of COVID-19 in the fall.
Tennessee Reporting Jump in COVID-19 Cases
Tennessee reported 405 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, bringing the state’s total to 2,239. The state has also seen at least ten additional coronavirus-related deaths in the last 24 hours. According to Tennessee’s COVID-19 website, at least 23 people in the state have died from the virus.
Positive Cases Continue to Grow in Indiana
The state of Indiana is reporting 373 new cases of coronavirus Tuesday and 14 additional deaths. That brings the state’s total to 2,159 COVID-19 cases and 49 deaths from the virus.
Three New Cases, First Death in Green River Region
The Green River District Health Department is reporting three new cases of COVID-19 in the seven-county region, along with the first area death. The new cases announced Tuesday are from Daviess, Henderson, and Webster counties. That brings the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Green River region to 44, with 34 of those patients in Daviess County.
The health department also said a Daviess County resident has become the first person in the region to die from COVID-19. The department said it’s not releasing any demographic information on the person who passed away, out of respect for the individual and their family.
Kentucky Legislative Staffer Diagnosed with Coronavirus
A staffer for the Kentucky legislature has tested positive for coronavirus. The legislature has been meeting intermittently during the coronavirus pandemic and is scheduled to meet again on Wednesday to pass a final version of the state budget and other bills.
The staffer works for the Legislative Research Commission, the administrative arm of the legislature tasked with drafting bills, crunching numbers and assisting lawmakers. The agency is governed by a 16-member board made up of leaders from the Republican-majority legislature.
Rob Weber, public information officer for the LRC, said that the staffer is recovering and doing well, “given the circumstances.”
“We were informed on March 30 that an LRC staff member tested positive earlier in the day for COVID-19. We shared the news with all LRC staff members the same day,” Weber wrote in an email.--Ryland Barton
Beshear to Kentuckians: Don’t Leave State Unless You Absolutely Have To
A new order by Gov. Andy Beshear forbids Kentuckians from leaving the state, in order to limit the spread of the coronavirus. At the governor’s daily press briefing on Monday, Chief of Staff La Tasha Buckner said the new rule would permit residents to leave Kentucky only for work, necessary supplies, to see a doctor or take care of a family member, or if travel is required by a court. Beshear said law enforcement or county judges could enforce the order, but its effectiveness relies on Kentuckians.
“The reality is, the only way that we’re going to get people doing the right thing is because they agree to — is because they see it as their duty, and they know that their actions can harm other people,” Beshear said. “The moment that you go across the border […] and you have that extra contact, you can bring it back to a person in your family that’s working in a nursing home.”--Kyeland Jackson, WFPL
Kentucky High Seniors Missing Out on Traditional, Long-Awaited Activities
The coronavirus is making a lot of students anxious to see the pandemic, and home quarantines, come to an end. High school seniors, especially, are missing out on some rites of passage.
The Class of 2020 has unwantedly become the Class of COVID-19. Eighteen-year-old Kallie Wood attends Bowling Green High School. She realizes there will be no sports, prom, or senior trip to New York City.
“We were looking forward to going and seeing all the sights in New York," Wood told WKU Public Radio. "I’ve never been to New York so I was looking forward to it, and I was looking forward to spending one last trip with my friends and teachers.”--Lisa Autry
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee Shuts Down Non-Essential Businesses
More businesses in Tennessee have been ordered to close in the midst of the coronavirus crisis. The executive order issued by Gov. Bill Lee does not include places offering essential services. But Lee has stopped short of issuing a shelter-in-place.
Laundromats, post offices and pharmacies are among the businesses allowed to remain open in the state. Non-essential businesses such as barbershops and nail salons will have to close until April 14.--Sergio Martinez-Beltran, WPLN
Monday, March 30
Kentucky Seeing Fewer Cases
Kentucky now has at least 480 cases of coronavirus, that’s 42 new cases on Monday. There are also two new coronavirus-related deaths, bringing the Commonwealth’s total to 11.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear says the one-year-old in Fayette County who tested positive for the virus is at home and doing well. He issued a new executive order instructing Kentuckians not to travel to other states except for a few exceptions. People can still travel out of state if it is for work, healthcare, caring for a loved one, if you live on the border and need groceries or medicine, and if it is required by a court.
There are 632 student volunteers from medical, nursing and pharmacy schools who are willing to help combat the coronavirus. Beshear says there are two positive cases from a nursing home in northern Kentucky.
Tennessee COVID-19 Cases Growing
Tennessee is reporting 297 new cases of coronavirus today and six additional deaths. The state now has 1,834 COVID-19 cases and 13 deaths as a result of the virus.
Indiana Death Toll Increases
State health officials say three more people have died in Indiana from coronavirus-related illnesses, increasing the state’s virus death toll to 35.
The Indiana State Department of Health said Monday that Indiana’s number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 grew by 273 to 1,786. The state now has nearly seven times the number of confirmed cases as a week ago, while the number of deaths is five times greater. Two of the new deaths involved Indianapolis residents, while the other person who died was from southeastern Indiana’s Franklin County.
The state health commissioner said last week that Indiana’s peak of coronavirus illnesses is expected in mid- to late April.--Associated Press
One New Case of COVID-19 Monday in Green River District
The Green River District Health Department is reporting one new case of COVID-19 in Union County. There are now 42 confirmed cases of the virus in the seven-county district. Daviess County has 33 cases, the most in the region. Henderson County has four. Union County has two. And there is one case each in Hancock, McLean, and Webster counties.
Scott County Volunteers Making Masks for Health Care Personnel
Volunteers in Georgetown, Kentucky, are sewing hundreds of masks for healthcare professionals due to a severe shortage. Shannon Burns owns a large sewing center in Scott County, and is coordinating the effort. She said she was contacted by a local pediatric physicians’ office with a request for masks.
“They have a staff of 25 people. Each practitioner of those 25 sees on average 10-12 patients a day. That’s 250 masks they needed just for one day’s work,” Burns said.
Burns adds that the health care workers contacting her are requesting a very specific mask, referred to as the Deaconess Mask. She said it takes about 10 to 20 minutes for an experienced sewer to create one of the masks. --WEKU
Sunday, March 29
4:07 p.m.: According to the state’s website, Kentucky now has 439 positive cases of coronavirus. That’s at least 45 new cases in the last 24 hours.
The state of Indiana reported 282 new cases of coronavirus Sunday and one additional death. That brings the Hoosier state to 1,514 positive cases of COVID-19.
Tennessee now has 1,537 positive cases of coronavirus. That's 164 more cases since Saturday. The Volunteer state is also reporting an additional death caused by the virus, bringing the state’s total to seven.
Saturday, March 28
5:04 p.m.: Northern Kentucky Health Department is reporting its first coronavirus related death. The patient was a Kenton County resident in their 60s. --Herald-Leader
5:01 p.m.: In his daily update, Gov. Andy Beshear said Kentucky has 92 new cases of COVID-19, that’s the most the state has seen in one day. That brings the state’s total positive cases to at least 394.
The governor said another one-year-old has contracted the virus. He did not have information on the child’s condition.
Kentucky has signed an agreement with the federal Department of Labor to raise the maximum unemployment benefits by $600. It also increases how long people can receive those benefits by 13 weeks.
President Donald Trump signed a new disaster declaration for Kentucky, giving it access to additional funds. The agreement will allow the Federal Emergency Management Agency to reimburse the state for measures taken to combat the coronavirus. The federal government will cover up to 75 percent of costs for supplies, extra assistance from law enforcement, temporary medical facilities among other expenses.
The Commonwealth has been granted a waiver for its Women, Infant, and Children or WIC program that allows the state to maximize benefits and all eligibility meetings can take place virtually.
Indiana COVID-19 Cases Growing Slower
The Hoosier state reported 251 new cases of coronavirus on Saturday. Indiana now has 1,232 positive cases. Thirty-one Indiana residents have died as a result of the virus--7 more since Friday.
Tennessee Cases Growing
The state of Tennessee now has 1,373 positive cases of COVD-19, 170 new cases since Friday. The Volunteer state did not report any additional deaths Saturday.
Friday, March 27
4:33 p.m.: Gov. Andy Beshear said there have been two additional coronavirus deaths, a 75-year-old female in Fayette county and a 77-year-old male in Hopkins county. This is the first time two people have died from the virus in one day.
4:13 p.m.: According to the state's website, there are now 302 positive cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky. That’s at least 54 new cases today.
3:09 p.m.: Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said the city now has 103 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and an additional death Friday. This is the biggest one-day increase in cases so far. He said drive-thru testing is now available by appointment only through the University of Louisville and the Veterans Affairs.
Kentucky AG: Abortions should cease during virus pandemic
Kentucky's Attorney General said abortions should cease as part of the governor's order halting elective medical procedures due to the coronavirus pandemic. Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron made the request Friday to the state's acting health and family services secretary.
Cameron is asking the official to certify that abortion providers are violating the ban by continuing to perform abortions. He said such certification would “trigger action” by his office to stop elective procedures during the pandemic.
The state's only abortion clinic is the EMW Women's Surgical Center in Louisville, which has said it plans to continue providing the procedure.--Associated Press
Green River District Health Dept. Friday COVID cases
The Green River District Health Department has reported six new cases of COVID-19 Friday, all in Daviess County. That brings the total number of cases to 32 in the seven-county district. Daviess County has 28 cases; Henderson County has two cases; Webster and Union counties have each reported one case of the virus. The age of the patients ranges from 20-77.
Indiana Sees Surge in COVID-19 Cases
The state of Indiana continues to see huge jumps in the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19. There are now 981 people in the state who have tested positive for the coronavirus—an increase of 336 over Thursday’s numbers. Twenty-four Indiana residents have died from the virus--7 since Thursday. --WFPL
Daviess County Public Schools Meal Plan
Friday is the last day Daviess County Public Schools will deliver meals to students’ homes, something the district has been doing since closing its facilities due to coronavirus. Beginning Monday, families can pick up breakfast and lunch meals at designated schools and community locations around the county.
Meals for two days will be distributed only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Students will have those extra meals for Tuesday and Thursday.
In line with the requirements of “social distancing,” families must remain in their vehicles until they reach the serving tables, and then stand at least six feet away from other people while picking up the food.
The district said the cancellation of home-delivered meals is due to limited resources and to protect the health of school staff and local families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ky lawmakers pass relief bill
The Kentucky legislature has passed an emergency bill to expand unemployment benefits, allow the governor to waive several business and tax fees and expand telehealth services during the coronavirus pandemic.
The measure also requires Gov. Andy Beshear to declare in writing when he decides to end Kentucky’s current state of emergency. If he has not done so by the start of the next legislative session, the measure allows the legislature to end it.
The chief purpose of the bill is to provide relief to Kentucky workers and businesses bruised by the pandemic and ensuing restrictions that have closed down much of the state. Lawmakers also hope the measure will help prop up the state’s economy. By one estimate Kentucky could lose 67,000 jobs by June.
You can read more about the bill here.
Thursday, March 26
4:19 p.m.: During his regular update, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Kentucky now has 248 cases of COVID-19, that's 50 new cases since the last update. He is asking judge executives and mayors to monitor parks and shut those areas down if people aren't practicing social distancing. The governor also said the state is reactivating recently-expired licenses for health care workers and first responders to better prepare for the surge of cases he expects to see.
3:12 p.m.: Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said there are now 60 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Jefferson County.
The city of Louisville will start removing all city-owned basketball rims and nets, locking up soccer goals and prohibiting all group activities in parks.
-Kentucky’s Republican attorney general would be able to shut down abortion providers during the coronavirus pandemic under changes to a bill advancing in the state legislature. A substitute to House Bill 451 expanding the attorney general’s powers to enforce abortion regulations quickly passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.
The new language would give the attorney general power to enforce emergency orders issued by the governor banning elective medical procedures, “including but not limited to abortions.”
Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear has issued an emergency order banning elective medical procedures during the pandemic, citing the need to conserve medical resources.
Kate Miller, advocacy director with the ACLU of Kentucky, said that women seeking abortions would be in a “desperate situation” if the attorney general shut down the state’s two providers.
“People are in desperate situations right now and the government should never have the power to force someone to stay pregnant against their will,” Miller said.
If passed, Kentucky would join other states pushing to limit abortions amid the coronavirus pandemic.
-Fort Campbell is reporting its first positive case of the coronavirus. The infected individual is a dependent of a military retiree at Fort Campbell, and is currently isolated at their home, which is outside the army post. Officials with Blanchfield Army Community Hospital are working to determine whether anyone else may have been exposed. While this is the first known case of COVID-19 at Fort Campbell, there are more than 200 tests pending.
-Indiana reported an additional 168 people with positive COVID-19 Thursday morning, bringing the state’s total to 645. Seventeen people in the Hoosier State have died from the virus.
- Toyota, which has facilities in Kentucky and West Virginia, will remain closed through April 17, due to ongoing concerns about coronavirus. In a statement, Toyota said service parts depots and vehicle logistics centers will continue operating. The production suspension applies to the company’s facilities across North America, including Canada and Mexico.
-The number of Kentucky residents filing for unemployment benefits has surged in the past week. The U.S. Labor Department says 48,847 Kentucky residents applied for unemployment assistance last week. It reflects the dramatic economic disruption caused by the virus. In the prior week, 2,785 claims were filed in Kentucky.
Many businesses have closed or scaled back due to the pandemic. Meanwhile, federal and state law enforcement agencies in Kentucky will be on the lookout for scammers seeking to profit during the coronavirus outbreak. They are forming a coronavirus task force to investigate and prosecute fraud cases.
-The Kentucky Attorney General says he sent subpoenas to six third-party online retailers suspected of price gouging during the COVID-19 pandemic. The retailers are accused of using Amazon’s online platform to sell emergency and medical supplies at sharply inflated prices.
Attorney General Daniel Cameron said Amazon assisted his office in identifying the retailers.
At least three were issued cease and desist orders as investigations continue.
Wednesday, March 25
5:07 p.m.: Kentucky now has 198 positive cases of Coronavirus, and one new death. The patient was a 75-year-old man with underlying medical issues from Jefferson County. That is Kentucky’s 5th coronavirus-related death.
Gov. Beshear said Kentucky has its first case of someone who went to Florida on spring break and has now tested positive for coronavirus. He said a little over a third of those who have tested positive for the coronavirus have needed hospitalization.
Independent contractors, substitute teachers, gig workers and anyone else who has had to stop working because of COVID-19 can now file for unemployment.
There will be additional law enforcement, including the National Guard, at hospitals and health care facilities soon.
Beshear said he is hoping the first drive-thru test facility for coronavirus will open on a limited basis Monday, but only for individuals showing symptoms. The Governor did not announce where the new testing site might be.
3:19 p.m.: Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said there has been another coronavirus-related death in Jefferson County. The patient was a 75-year-old man with underlying medical issues.
-Western Kentucky University is donating personal protective equipment to local hospitals and healthcare providers in an effort to help combat COVID-19. The WKU College of Health and Human Services, School of Nursing, and Allied Health pulled together more than 4,000 protective masks, about 600 boxes of gloves and more than 300 isolation gowns for local hospitals.
Tania Basta is the Dean of CHHS, and said she was approached by people working in the college who knew the supplies were available.
“So I thought it was a fantastic idea, I said please do it. And lo and behold they were able to make this happen and we had quite a bit of reserves that we were able to donate to the hospitals.
Beshear said the state will be conducting a survey of all medical facilities in the commonwealth to find out what PPE and staff resources are available.
-A Republican state representative has filed a measure that would allow people and businesses tosue the governor if they feel emergency restrictions are unnecessary, too broad or last too long.
The legislation comes after Gov. Andy Beshear ordered many businesses across the state to be shut down or closed to in-person traffic during the coronavirus pandemic.
The measure is being sponsored by Republican Representative Savannah Maddox from Dry Ridge. –Ryland Barton
-Beshear has issued an executive order outlining which Kentucky businesses are considered “life sustaining” and allowed to stay open amid the coronavirus pandemic. His order also suspended evictions. The Governor is halting in-person government activities at the state, county and local levels that aren’t necessary to “sustain or protect life” or support life-sustaining businesses.
Among businesses allowed to stay open include:
grocery stores
drug stores
banks
hardware stores
agricultural operations
gas stations
media
businesses needed for transportation
logistics
shipping
delivery and pick-up
housing
building and construction
laundry
home-based care and services
professional services
hotels –Associated Press
-Gov. Beshear has signed a bill giving Kentucky’s schools the latitude to use as many nontraditional instruction days as needed in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The legislation has an emergency clause allowing it to take effect immediately. –Associated Press
Tuesday, March 24
7:22 p.m.: Kentucky now has 163 confirmed cases of the coronavirus. During his daily briefing, Governor Andy Beshear said there are 39 new cases of the respiratory illness since yesterday. The new cases are in Warren, Daviess, Simpson, Muhlenberg, and Pulaski counties, among others. Beshear also announced an executive order that closes all non-life-sustaining businesses to in-person contact. The order takes effect Thursday at 8 p.m. and exempts essential businesses such as pharmacies, gas stations, and grocery stores.
Monday, March 23
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said the state has 124 positive cases of COVID-19.
A problem with the Small Business Administration’s website has been fixed. Kentucky businesses that have been impacted by the pandemic can now go online and apply for those disaster loans.
A fund to provide financial assistance to Kentuckians who employment has been affected by COVID-19 is now live. It will be overseen by the Kentucky Public Protection Cabinet.
There is a new hotline to report businesses that are not following Beshear’s executive orders. It’s open from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., but messages can be left after hours. That number is 1-833-KYSAFER.
Kentucky will conduct a survey of all supplies and staff at outpatient medical centers, in order to know how many resources are available in the state. As cases increase, Beshear expects to increase security at medical centers and hospitals. He said this is to make sure that people can get care in a safe and orderly manner in the event of a surge in coronavirus cases.
Sunday, March 22
4:45 p.m.: Kentucky now has 103 confirmed cases of COVD-19, and more than 2,000 tests have been administered. Beginning Monday at 8 p.m. all no-essental retail businesses are ordered to close to in-person services. That includes entertainment, sporting goods, clothing, jewelry, florists and auto dealerships. Beshear said grocery stores, auto parts and repair, gas stations and pharmacies will remain open.
Also starting Monday at 8 p.m. all health care providers are ordered to delay elective procedures. The Governor said that includes chiropractors.
1:32 p.m: Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul said he has tested positive for COVID-19. The Republican is the first member of the Senate to report testing positive. He said in a tweet Sunday that he is feeling fine and is in quarantine.
Paul, a doctor, said he has not had symptoms and was tested out of an abundance of caution due to his extensive travel and events. Paul said he was not aware of any direct contact with an infected person. Two House members, Reps. Mario Diaz Balart of Florida of Ben McAdams of Utah, have tested positive.
Saturday, March 21
Governor Andy Beshear said the state now has at least 87 confirmed cases of coronavirus. That’s up 24 from Friday. A 60-year-old man from Anderson County has died as a result of the virus. Beshear will light the governor’s mansion green Saturday for the people who have died from coronavirus. He said green is the color of renewal for him.
The 6-year-old who was diagnosed with coronavirus has been discharged from the hospital.
The federal Small Business Administration has approved a disaster loan application for small businesses in Kentucky.
Friday, March 20
4:27 p.m.: -Daviess County health officials have announced 5 new local COVID-19 cases. The Messenger-Inquirer
-Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer reports Jefferson County has 8 more confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Beshear has asked Kentucky superintendents to keep schools closed until April 20.
-The tax deadline for Kentucky filers has been extended to July 15.
2:42 p.m.: Forty people are in self-quarantine after potentially being exposed to the coronavirus at a church service in Pulaski County last Sunday. A 59-year-old woman who has tested positive for COVID-19 was in attendance.
The director of the Lake Cumberland District Health Department said all those who were at the service have agreed to self-quarantine. Governor Beshear has since signed a ban against public gatherings, including church services. ---Herald-Leader
11 a.m.: Indiana political leaders say they decided to postpone the state’s May 5th primary
because of the coronavirus pandemic. Republican Governor Eric Holcomb said during a news conference with the state GOP and Democratic chairmen that the primary will instead be held on June 2nd.
The announcement came shortly after Indiana health officials reported that the state had 23 new cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus. That raised Indiana’s total count to 79, including two patients who have died. Neighboring Kentucky and Ohio are among at least seven other states that have also postponed their primaries. –Associated Press
10:30 a.m.: Kentucky’s Education and Workforce Development Cabinet says that, based on orders from the federal government, it cannot provide detailed information about the number of unemployment insurance applications.
Earlier this week, the cabinet disclosed that more than 34-people had filed for unemployment over the three-day period from Monday through Wednesday. The cabinet’s executive director of communications said in an email that the message to stop disclosing unemployment numbers was "conveyed by the Department of Labor so I cannot communicate those numbers until further notice”.
The New York Times has reported that the Labor Department told state officials in an email to “provide information using generalities” and avoid giving specific numbers until national claims data is released next week. —Jared Bennett, Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting
10:00 am: Pulaski, Hardin, Oldham, and Anderson counties all say they have a positive test result. A 59-year-old woman in Pulaski County, and an Oldham County woman in her late 60’s have tested positive.
The positive case in Hardin County is a public school student. A school district spokesman says the student wasn’t showing symptoms last week before schools closed in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus. No demographic information is known about the Anderson County case.
At least 52 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Kentucky as of this morning, with two deaths. That’s less than the 79 confirmed cases in Indiana, and significantly fewer than the 228 positive test results in Tennessee.
9:37 a.m.: Pulaski, Anderson and Oldham counties have their first confirmed cases of COVID-19, with one positive test result in each county. –The Herald-Leader
-Pulaski County 59-year-old female
-Anderson County demographics unknown
-Oldham County female in her 60s
Thursday, March 19
5:19 p.m. The second known case of coronavirus in Warren County involves an 80-year-old woman.Health officials are working with the Kentucky Department for Public Health to identify and contact all those who may have been exposed to the infected person.
These individuals will be monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms.
4:25 p.m.: Alcohol delivery from the bars and restaurants that are still open will be allowed with some restrictions.
1:41 p.m.: Effective immediately, Med Center Health in Bowling Green is enforcing visitor restrictions at all six hospitals within its healthcare system to combat the spread of COVID-19. Hospital officials said visitation is limited to one visitor over the age of 16 who will be screened for coronavirus upon entry.
Maternity and Women’s Health patients are asked to limit visitors to two at a time, with one parent and a significant other allowed inside the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Officials say exceptions will be made for end-of-life and pediatric needs. All non-essential visitors, vendors, and contractors are prohibited from entering hospital facilities.
Affected hospitals include The Medical Centers at Bowling Green, Albany, Caverna, Franklin, Scottsville, and Commonwealth Regional Specialty Hospital.
11:00 a.m. The Green River District Health Department has reported two confirmed cases of COVID-19. The Evansville Courier & Press reports a 63-year-old in Henderson County and a 51-year-old in Daviess County are being isolated in their homes.
9:00 a.m. The 73-year-old Warren County man who has tested positive for the coronavirus is being treated at Tri-Star Greenview Regional Hospital in Bowling Green.
A statement from the hospital confirmed the man was there, but didn’t provide any other official details on his condition.
The Barren River Area Health District is now trying to trace where the man has been in recent days and weeks, in an effort to figure out who may have been exposed to the virus.
The man is the first confirmed case of the coronavirus in Warren County, and the southern Kentucky region.
Wednesday, March 18
Beshear announced 9 new cases of COVID-19, including the first one in Warren and Clark Counties.
Bank lobby hours are being limited to encourage customers to use drive-thrus, online banking and other methods that avoid in-person contact.
Effective immediately all charitable gaming licenses are suspended, which applies to things like bingo.
The Department of Community Based Services will extend Medicaid, food stamp, cash assistance benefits by three months. Anyone who is now unemployed can immediately apply for these benefits.
Tuesday, March 17
5:00 p.m.: Western Kentucky University is cancelling all in-person classes for the rest of the spring semester, with all instruction to be done online or through other means.
4:40 p.m.: Gov. Beshear is ordering all public facing businesses that encourage public congregation to close by 5 p.m. Wednesday. That includes gyms, exercise or recreational facilities, hair and nail salons, spas, concert venue and sporting facilities.
The Governor’s order exempts grocery stores, pharmacies, retail businesses, auto repair shops, health care facilities, gas stations, vet clinics, pet stores, retail and other businesses.
2:53 p.m.: Kentucky’s phone line and website for filing unemployment insurance crashed this week--and officials don’t know when they’ll be up and running again. The surge in activity that caused the system crash came after Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear ordered all restaurants and bars to close dine-in services. Beshear also waived the state’s mandatory one-week waiting period for unemployment benefits.
Officials are working to correct problems with the website and phone line but provided no concrete timeline for when those services would be available. –The Herald-Leader
2:30 p.m.: Two influential groups are calling on the Kentucky General Assembly to adjourn, and stop taking up legislation while access to the state capitol is restricted due to the coronavirus. The Kentucky Education Association is demanding lawmakers pass an education-forward budget and then--in the group’s words-- “go home.” The KEA is also pushing legislation to waive the requirement for school districts to make up many of the instructional days lost to the school closures. The Kentucky American Civil Liberties Union is calling on lawmakers to postpone hearings on all legislation, including the next two-year budget. — Jess Clark, WFPL
Army base closures in the region
Fort Knox is beginning enhanced COVID-19 screening process for anyone who enters the facility. Those arriving at the clinic for an appointment will be met at the door by screeners who will ask three questions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Army post says the process should last only a few minutes, and will help determine if anyone entering the building needs further medical assessment for possible coronavirus infection. Fort Knox currently has no known cases of COVID-19.
Fort Campbell is closing schools and banning soldiers from traveling more than 80 miles ourtside the base, as the Army base tries to prevent the spread of coronavirus. At least 14 people at Fort Campbell have been tested for COVID-19. Eleven of those tests are negative, and three are pending. Ft. Campbell Senior Comander Major General Brian Winski said current restrictions could change if positive cases reach the base.
“And as this evolves, we may be at a situation where we start having positive cases in the immediate area and we start having positive cases on post, we may implement some more measures that become more restrictive.”
Commanders said officials will decide when to reopen schools at Ft. Campbell toward the end of the month. Guests are still allowed on the base and all scheduled surgeries at Ft. Campbell’s hospital will continue as planned. –Liam Niemeyer, WKMS
University classes
The University of Kentucky has canceled in-person classes for the remainder of the spring semester in response to the coronavirus. The state's flagship university says it will shift to online or alternative formats for classroom instruction for the rest of the semester. UK had already switched to online instruction for the two weeks following this week’s spring break.
--Associated Press
Recreation
Mammoth Cave National Park will temporarily suspend cave tours and close its visitor center Tuesday in response to the coronavirus pandemic. –Associated Press
Religious institutions
Catholic masses across western Kentucky are now temporarily suspended in response to the coronavirus. The Diocese of Owensboro plans to re-evaluate the decision closer to Holy Week and prior to Easter. Bishop Wiliam Medley says he based the decision on Centers for Disease Control guidelines to cancel events with 50 or more people. The announcement affects 78 parishes and 17 schools across 32 Kentucky counties. The Louisville Archdiocese of Lexington are also canceling public masses, heeding a call from Kentucky’s governor to pause Sunday service in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Monday, March 16
8:05 p.m.: An evening release from Gov. Andy Beshear’s office said Kentucky’s total is now at 25 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Here’s a list of all of the patients thus far, with their ages, sex and location, if available:
- 66, Male, Bourbon, passed away March 15
- 40, Female, Fayette
- 46, Male, Fayette
- 31, Female, Fayette
- 47, Male, Fayette
- 31, Male, Fayette
- 27, Female, Harrison, fully recovered
- 67, Female, Harrison
- 68, Male, Harrison
- 54, Female, Harrison
- 60, Male, Harrison
- 51, Male, Harrison
- 69, Male, Jefferson
- 67, Female, Jefferson
- 68, Female, Jefferson
- 80, Female, Jefferson
- 73, Female, Jefferson
- 56, Male, Montgomery
- 53, Male, Nelson
- 49, Male, Clark
- 54, Male, Jefferson
- 34, Female, Jefferson
- 74, Male, Fayette
- 33, Female, Fayette
- 51, Male, Montgomery
“Again, we believe there are cases out there where people aren’t being tested because they are asymptomatic,” Beshear said in the release. “What we’re dealing with is serious. It shouldn’t scare you, but it should give you a commitment to make sure we are following the guidelines that we have to follow.”
4:10 p.m.: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear says there are 22 cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky. The newest case is in Jefferson County; she is a 34-year-old woman.
Beshear is also asking child care centers across Kentucky to close by the end of the day Friday. “I know it’s going to be hard. Everything I’ve announced over the past several days is going to be hard,” he said.
There will also be a three-month extension on drivers licenses, to avoid in-person traffic coming into those facilities. By the end of the day tomorrow, all government offices will be closed to in-person traffic, Beshear said.
He also said the state had applied for a loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration to help small businesses suffering from the economic problems coming from the coronavirus. And Beshear confirmed that the state would postpone the state’s primary elections by the 35 days allowed by Kentucky law: until June 23.
4:00 p.m.: Republican leaders of the Kentucky legislature say that the 2020 legislative session will continue despite worries of large gatherings amid the coronavirus outbreak.
In a statement from House Speaker David Osborne and Senate President Robert Stivers announced that the they are restricting in-person access to meetings to lawmakers, essential staff and reporters.The news comes after the CDC recommended that Americans avoid gatherings of more than 50 people amid the coronavirus pandemic.
There are 138 members of the General Assembly, plus hundreds of staff, reporters and others who work on the state Capitol campus every day. — Ryland Barton
3:56 p.m.: Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams is recommending that the state move its primary elections from May 19 to June 23.
The request comes in response to the coronavirus epidemic. So far 21 people have been confirmed with the disease in Kentucky.
Authority to delay an election ultimately resides with the governor. In a letter to Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, Adams asked Beshear to delay the primary election by 35 days. In this year’s primary contest, Kentuckians will weigh in on who to nominate for U.S. Senate, Congress and the state legislature. — Ryland Barton
If you live in Kentucky and believe you have been exposed to COVID-19, call the Kentucky COVID-19 hotline at 1-800-722-5725. In Indiana, call the ISDH Epidemiology Resource Center at 317-233-7125.
