In his evening press conference last night, Governor Andy Beshear announced that there are now 5,934 cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth. Of these cases, 159 were newly confirmed. It is believed that 2,125 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus, however there were eight new deaths reported on Wednesday, bringing the state’s total to 283. Governor Beshear announced that the state’s partnership with Kroger will bring more testing next week in several locations. Louisville, Lexington, Elizabethtown, and Corbin will see testing locations. The Elizabethtown location will be John Hardin High School. Information on how to register for the sites throughout the Commonwealth can be found at kycovid19.gov. In addition, the Governor issued a new executive order editing Kentucky’s travel ban to be more like Ohio’s, meaning those with a positive case or presumptive positive case of COVID-19 are banned from entering Kentucky, except as ordered for medical treatment.
While many regional events have been cancelled, one has decided to continue on, albeit in a different way. Elizabethtown’s annual Founder’s Day event will not take place, however the fireworks will still take place, just in a different location. The new location for the fireworks show will take place in proximity to EC3 and Elizabethtown Community and Technical College. The hill will make for easier viewing, and the number of parking lots around the college will help accommodate a large crowd while at the same time enforcing social distancing. More information about the change can be found at etownevents.com.
Local numbers of COVID-19 cases continue to increase. The Lincoln Trail District Health Department reported 125 total cases of the virus yesterday with additional cases being confirmed in Hardin, Larue, and Nelson counties. 113 of those cases are in home isolation, or have been released. Officials with the Breckinridge County Health Department confirmed two cases locally, bringing their total number of cases to 13.
As Kentucky begins to reopen its economy, places of business are establishing how procedures will be different going forward. Governor Beshear’s ten rules for reopening have given guidelines for these businesses, and an industry requiring significant change is the barbershop industry. Patrons will be required to wear facemasks and sanitize hands on the way in the door, and barbers and stylists will also be required to wear facemasks.
