FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Kentucky’s daily count of new coronavirus cases Wednesday surpassed 1,000 for a second straight day for the first time, offering more proof the state is being hit by an escalating outbreak.
Gov. Andy Beshear reported 1,004 more cases statewide, one day after a near-record 1,018 cases. It underscores the need to be vigilant and follow health guidelines to fight the virus, he said. Those steps include wearing a mask in public, social distancing, washing hands and limiting travel.
“More than 1,000 cases two days in a row is not something we can be complacent about,” the governor said at a news conference. “It is not something we can be willing to accept. It is not a new normal that we can say is tolerable here in the commonwealth.”
The governor also reported four more virus-related deaths. The state’s death toll connected to the virus rose to 1,174, while its total number of cases surged to at least 68,840. Kentucky remains on pace to exceed last week’s total number of virus cases, which was a weekly record, he said.
The state’s closely watched positivity rate - a seven-day rolling figure reflecting the average number of tests coming back positive for the virus - was 4.07%, down from the prior day.
“Even with a low positivity rate, more cases mean more people that are going to be in the hospital, more people that are going to be in the ICU and more people that we’re going to lose,” he said. “We need to make sure we stop this most recent escalation.”
Meanwhile, the Democratic governor said another round of extra unemployment payments is headed to many Kentuckians. The first three payments were already distributed and the fourth payment went out Tuesday night, he said. Two more payments are due to be sent in coming days.
More than 100,000 Kentuckians have been qualifying to receive an additional $400 in weekly jobless benefits under the program authorized by President Donald Trump. No extra state money is required for the first $300 in supplemental weekly assistance for each recipient. To get the full $400 available, Kentucky dips into its federal coronavirus relief aid to make up the difference.
Beshear also previewed his upcoming guidelines for Halloween amid the pandemic. The guidance, expected to be announced Thursday, will offer a “reasonably safe” way for children to still enjoy much of the trick-or-treat experience, he said.
“It’s going to need to be individual families taking their kids out to trick-or-treat,” he said.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal. The vast majority of people recover.
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