Governor Andy Beshear said during his Wednesday briefing that the number of coronavirus cases appears to be plateauing when compared to this same time last week, but the positivity rate is still higher than where he wants to see it.
The governor reported 546 new positive COVID-19 cases Wednesday including 21 children under the age of 5 — one of which is just over two weeks old.
He added the statewide total since the outbreak began is 32,741 with the positivity rate at 5.51% Wednesday.
Beshear also reported one death, which he said was the lowest one day total but is still one too many. He said the death involved a 71-year old woman in Logan County and raised the death toll to 752 related to the virus.
As far as long-term care facilities, state Health and Family Services Secretary Eric Friedlander said Kentucky has done a good job when comparing the number of cases to other states.
When asked if he thinks the state is in the position now where schools can reopen the third week of August, Beshear said he is still watching the numbers and does have concerns about what he’s seeing in other states.
He says we need to continue to be resilient and with the case numbers starting to come down it appears the facial coverings are working.
Beshear also announced some positive economic news Wednesday. He said Dollar General Corporation has plans to open two new distribution center facilities in Kentucky including a DG Fresh cold storage facility in Bowling Green, which he added should be operational by summer 2021.
According to Beshear, Dollar General was founded in the commonwealth, currently operates more than 580 stores in the Bluegrass State, and employs more than 5,600 Kentuckians.
The COVID-19 briefing is below:
