COVID-19 pandemic in Kentucky
The COVID-19 pandemic was confirmed to have reached the U.S. state of Kentucky on March 6, 2020, when Governor Andy Beshear's office announced the first confirmed case in Cynthiana and declared a state of emergency to ensure all entities had the necessary response resources. Four of the first 22 confirmed cases in the state originated among a group of friends skiing in Vail, Colorado, prior to any cases being reported there and then returning to Kentucky on March 1, 2020. Several others on the trip and their families may have been infected but were unable to be tested at the time due to extremely limited statewide testing. As of February 8, 2021, 381,271 cumulative cases of COVID-19 were confirmed, with 4,224 deaths.[1]
| COVID-19 pandemic in Kentucky | |
|---|---|
.jpg.webp) Members of the Kentucky National Guard assist in providing medical supplies | |
 Map of the outbreak in Kentucky by confirmed new infections per 100,000 people over 14 days (last updated March 2021)
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No confirmed new cases or no/bad data | |
 Map of the outbreak in Kentucky by confirmed total infections per 100,000 people (last updated March 2021)
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| Disease | COVID-19 |
| Virus strain | SARS-CoV-2 |
| Location | Kentucky, U.S. |
| Index case | Lexington |
| Arrival date | March 6, 2020 |
| Confirmed cases | 227,218 |
| Suspected cases‡ | 4,494 |
| Hospitalized cases | 1,788 (current) 4,652 (cumulative) |
| Critical cases | 138 (current) 1,396 (cumulative) |
| Recovered | 32,234 |
Deaths | 7,517 |
| Government website | |
| govstatus | |
| ‡Suspected cases have not been confirmed by laboratory tests as being due to this strain, although some other strains may have been ruled out. | |
The Kentucky government announced a series of restrictions and recommendations in order to help curb the spread of the disease. Schools, universities, and a range of businesses were broadly closed to the public. Public sporting events were closed or postponed, including the 2020 Kentucky Derby.
A range of initiatives was put into place, many by executive order, including broader leeway for pharmacists, relaxing of standards for unemployment insurance, extensions of Kentucky driver licenses, the curtailing of non-essential police services in some areas, and moratoriums on evictions and utility shut-offs.[2]
As of June 22, 2021, 2,136,635 Kentuckians had received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, equivalent to 49% of the population.[3]
Prevalence
The Kentucky government announced on March 6, 2020, that the state had seen its first confirmed case of the virus, in the city of Lexington. The individual had been placed in isolation in an unidentified medical facility (later identified as the University of Kentucky's Albert B. Chandler Hospital).[4][5] On the same day a state of emergency was declared.[4] One resident of Nelson County was forced into isolation when they refused to self-isolate after testing positive for the virus.[6]
In a press conference on March 17, Governor Andy Beshear advised that the first case in Western Kentucky had been confirmed in Lyon County, and one woman had been removed from the list, after it was discovered that she had used a Kentucky address, but was actually a resident of New York.[7] By the same day, around 380 test had been administered in the state in total, with five counties having administrated 15 tests or more.[8] The highest rates of both testing and confined cases were in areas around the urban centers of Louisville and Lexington.[8]
As of March 18, one of the first two patients to test positive for the virus, a 56-year-old man from Montgomery County, had fully recovered and was released from isolation.[9] A total of 35 cases were confirmed, and 489 test had been administered statewide.[8] Among these were an eight-month-old from Jefferson County, reported in good condition and being treated at home.[10]
Students arriving for in-person classes at the University of Kentucky were tested, with 254 positive results. As of September 2, there were 760 coronavirus cases among University of Kentucky students.[11]
Impact
As of March 16, Governor Beshear announced that all bars and restaurants would close to dining.[12] The same day Beshear also announced amendments to the state's unemployment insurance requirements, waiving the seven-day waiting period and requirement for workers to actively seek employment.[13] Plans were announced to implement state laws against price gouging via executive order.[4]
Schools and child care facilities were closed statewide.[14] The University of Kentucky suspended in-person classes for the entirety of the spring semester.[15]
The electricity providers Kentucky Utilities and Louisville Gas & Electric announced it would suspend shut-offs and waive late fees until May 1, 2020.[14][16]
All public facing businesses that encourage public congregation and which cannot comply with the CDC's social distancing guidelines were ordered closed as of March 17.[7] Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer ordered the closure of playgrounds, basketball courts and soccer fields in Louisville's 120 parks on March 24.[17]
Government
The government announced on March 16 it has applied to the U.S. Small Business Administration for assistance related to the impacts to small businesses. A three-month extension for state drivers licenses was enacted.[14] The state's primary elections were suspended until June 23, 2020.[14]
As of March 11, Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice John D. Minton Jr. suspended most state court hearings for one month. Federal court hearings had elsewhere been suspended by Danny C. Reeves, Chief U.S. District Judge.[18] Leaders from the Kentucky General Assembly announced that the 2020 session would continue despite warnings about gathering in large groups. In-person meetings with legislators would be restricted only to essential contacts.[14]
A spokesperson for the Louisville Metro Housing Authority advised that they would suspend evictions and set outs.[14] The Louisville Metro Police Department announced they would no longer be responding to certain calls, including hit-and-run, public intoxication, and disorderly conduct.[19] The Lexington Fire Department enacted a number of steps, including restricting public access to stations, but were still responding to all emergency calls.[20] State Child Protective Services workers were ordered to limit contact with families except in cases of "imminent risk or high risk-only circumstances".[21]
Due to the large number of people filing new claims, the state's system for registering workers for unemployment insurance crashed as of March 17 and remained down as of March 18.[7]
As of March 18, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet closed all Real ID stations in addition to "all circuit court clerk offices, Kentucky licensing regional field offices, cabinet one-stop shop and cabinet district highway, administrative, maintenance and equipment offices."[22]
As of March 22, there were 103 confirmed cases. Kentucky Senator Rand Paul announced he had tested positive for the virus.[23]
Mayor Greg Fischer of Louisville ordered the closure of playgrounds, basketball courts and soccer fields in the city's parks on March 24.[17]
Due to a surge of cases in Alabama the Kentucky State Government is advising all travelers from the state to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.[24]
Healthcare
On March 17 an executive order was announced allowing pharmacists to issue prescriptions for 30 days if they cannot contact a patient's doctor. It also allowed pharmacists to set up and conduct business in areas not covered by the normal permitting process, to increase the ease and availability of mobile operations.[25] Blood donations were substantially impacted as scheduled blood drives were cancelled and the public took measures to avoid public spaces.[26] Adult daycare centers were ordered closed as of March 17.[7]
Religion
Initially, religious leaders were upset when Governor Beshear called for all religious services to be halted on March 11, 2020.[27] However, many followed the guideline on Sunday the 14th with even more following by the following Sunday. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington suspended public masses from March 20 until further notice.[28]
By April 4, two churches in Hopkins County had been linked to an outbreak with over 50 cases and 4 deaths.[29]
On Easter 2020, Beshear had the Kentucky State Police show up to churches who defied his order banning mass gatherings, including religious services.[30] This ban on religious services was eventually struck down by the courts.[31]
Sports
In college sports, the National Collegiate Athletic Association canceled all winter and spring tournaments, most notably the Division I men's and women's basketball tournaments, affecting colleges and universities statewide.[32] On March 16, the National Junior College Athletic Association also canceled the remainder of the winter seasons as well as the spring seasons.[33]
As of October 2021 the NCAA has granted an extra year of eligibility to all Division I sports, Fall, Winter, and Spring Season. Each athlete has the option to use their eligibility or turn down the offer.
The running of the Kentucky Derby, normally scheduled for the first Saturday in May, was postponed until September. This was the first time in 75 years that the race was rescheduled.[34]
NASCAR held their races at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta as planned on July 9–12 the Xfinity series gained an additional race there for the first since 2017 that there would a second race at the track for the Xfinity Series, all events were closed behind doors.
Governor's Daily Address
Governor Beshear has a daily public address at 5:00 pm EDT on the COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor is joined regularly by an ASL interpreter, Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing Executive Director Virginia Moore, and Dr. Steven Stack, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Public Health. The Governor has come up with several hashtags he wants Kentuckians to use: #TeamKentucky, #TogetherKy, #HealthyatHome, and #Patriot.[35] Some of the common phrases that the Governor uses during these addresses can be purchased on various items to help raise money for Team Kentucky fund started by the Governor to help those who have been hurt financially by the pandemic.[36] The Governor also asks people to light up their house green whenever there are coronavirus deaths in the state that day to honor those that are lost. As part of this, Beshear has ordered the Governor's Mansion and the State Capitol dome illuminated in green on those nights.[37]
Public response
Compliance with the Governor's order to wear masks was reported as a "mixed bag" in Louisville.[38] One store in Kentucky denied entry to customers wearing masks.[39][40]
Protests against the Governor's restrictions began in March 2020 with opposition hanging an effigy of Andy Beshear on March 24.[41]
Lifting of restrictions
On June 11, 2021, Governor Beshear issued an executive order lifting most coronavirus restrictions throughout Kentucky. This included all capacity restrictions, Healthy at Work requirements as well as the statewide mask mandate in most cases. Masks will still be required on public transportation as well as in healthcare and long-term care facilities. In addition, masks wearing remains recommended in correctional facilities and homeless shelters as well as by anyone who has a compromised immune system, is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or has tested positive for COVID-19 in the previous ten days.[42] Private businesses will also retain the right to require mask wearing in their facilities or on their property.[43]
Classes began as expected on August 11 but several school districts have had to close due to infections.[44]
See also
- Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United States – for impact on the country
- COVID-19 pandemic – for impact on other countries
- Misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic
References
- "outbreak.info". outbreak.info. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
- Governor of Kentucky. (March 25, 2020). "Executive order 2020-257" (PDF).
- "Kentucky COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard". Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
- "Officials Confirm State's First COVID-19 Case". kentucky.gov. Archived from the original on March 18, 2020. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
- Parks, Natalie. "'A war that continues': Kentucky marks one year of the COVID-19 pandemic". The Kentucky Kernel.
- Desrochers, Daniel (March 14, 2020). "One of two new Kentucky coronavirus cases refused to self-isolate. He's being forced". Lexington Herald-Leader. Archived from the original on May 18, 2020. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
- "Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear closes more businesses, adult daycares". WCPO-TV. March 17, 2020. Archived from the original on March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- "Patients Tested Positive for COVID-19 in Kentucky". Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Archived from the original on March 17, 2020. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
- Kobin, Billy (March 18, 2020). "First coronavirus patient in Montgomery County, Kentucky, has fully recovered". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- Desrochers, Daniel (March 18, 2020). "9 new Kentucky coronavirus cases found, including infant and wife of Louisville mayor". Lexington Herald-Leader. Archived from the original on May 8, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- Burke, Lila (September 2, 2020). "University of Kentucky at 760 Cases, Only Testing Greek Life Members". Live Updates: Latest News on Coronavirus and Higher Education. Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- Patton, Janet (March 16, 2020). "Dining spots scramble as Beshear orders Ky. bars, restaurants to close dine-in service". Lexington Herald-Leader. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
- Glowicki, Matthew (March 16, 2020). "Kentucky unemployment during coronavirus: Who is eligible and how to apply for it". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
- "Live Coverage: Coronavirus In The Louisville Area". WFPL. March 16, 2020. Archived from the original on June 19, 2020. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
- "University of Kentucky extends shift to online instruction". The Hour. March 17, 2020. Archived from the original on March 17, 2020. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
- Chisenhall, Jeremy (March 16, 2020). "Updated: KY service commission orders utility companies to suspend disconnections". Lexington Herald-Leader. Archived from the original on June 12, 2020. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
- 'This virus is no joke': Kentucky officials don't wait for surge of coronavirus cases to tighten restrictions Archived March 30, 2020, at the Wayback Machine by Anita Hassan, NBC News, 29 Mar 2020
- Cheves, John (March 13, 2020). "Kentucky courts closed for a month, federal trials delayed to avoid spreading COVID-19". Lexington Herald-Leader. Archived from the original on May 21, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- Costello, Darcy (March 17, 2020). "Louisville police won't respond to some types of calls amid coronavirus outbreak". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
- Chisenhall, Jeremy (March 18, 2020). "'More cautious:' Lexington firefighters, police take steps to guard against COVID-19". Lexington Herald-Leader. Archived from the original on March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- Yetter, Deborah (March 18, 2020). "Kentucky is limiting in-person child abuse investigations because of the coronavirus". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- Tobin, Ben (March 18, 2020). "Kentucky temporarily closes all REAL ID offices in response to the coronavirus pandemic". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- "Gov. Beshear says Kentucky now has 103 confirmed cases of COVID-19". WDRB. March 22, 2020. Archived from the original on March 30, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
- Gore, Leada (July 20, 2020). "Kentucky advises travelers to Alabama to quarantine for 14 days on return". al.com. Archived from the original on July 20, 2020. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
- Puente, Victor (March 17, 2020). "Beshear executive order helps pharmacists treat at-risk patients". WKYT. Archived from the original on May 11, 2020. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
- Estep, Bill (March 17, 2020). "Coronavirus fear saps blood supply in Kentucky and nationwide. Donations badly needed". Lexington Herald-Leader. Archived from the original on June 14, 2020. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
- "Coronavirus in Kentucky: Religious leaders mull closing churches". Courier-journal.com. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
- Foys, Roger Joseph (March 18, 2020). "A message from Bishop Foys". Letter to. Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington. Archived from the original on March 22, 2020. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
- Loosemore, Bailey (April 4, 2020). "Kentucky church responds to 'unjust criticism' about revival at center of COVID-19 outbreak". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
- Ladd, Sarah. "Police take license numbers, issue notices as Kentucky church holds in-person Easter service". USA TODAY.
- Journal, A. B. A. "6th Circuit rules Kentucky church can host in-person services; federal judge allows it statewide". ABA Journal.
- NCAA cancels remaining winter and spring championships Archived June 27, 2020, at the Wayback Machine NCAA, March 12, 2020
- NJCAA cancels spring sports, basketball nationals amid coronavirus outbreak Archived May 24, 2020, at the Wayback Machine MLive.com, March 16, 2020
- Frakes, Jason (March 16, 2020). "The 2020 Kentucky Derby is postponing due to the coronavirus outbreak". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
- "Governor Beshear gives daily #TeamKentucky "good news" update". WLEX. March 24, 2020. Archived from the original on July 3, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
- "Full line of 'Beshear gear' on sale to raise money for Kentucky COVID-19 fund". WDRB. Archived from the original on April 1, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
- Heller, Marsha. "'Go green' campaign to show solidarity in COVID-19 outbreak". kfvs12.com. Archived from the original on July 3, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
- Wolf, Stephanie (May 11, 2020). "Ky. Governor's Mask Wearing Order Goes Into Effect". 89.3 WFPL News Louisville. Archived from the original on May 30, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- Noor, Poppy (May 22, 2020). "No masks allowed: stores turn customers away in US culture war". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on June 30, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- Castrodale, Jelisa (May 21, 2020). "Oh, Good: These Stores Put Up Signs Saying No Face Masks Are Allowed". Vice. Archived from the original on May 27, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- Ladd, Sarah. "Beshear hanged in effigy as Second Amendment supporters rally at Capitol before Memorial Day". The Courier-Journal.
- Executive Order 2021-368
- "Beshear: Support Kentucky businesses that continue to require masks". whas11.com.
- Slotnik, Daniel E. (September 4, 2021). "Kentucky's schools struggle as coronavirus outbreaks close entire districts" – via NYTimes.com.
External links
- COVID-19 informational page from the Kentucky Department for Public Health
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