There are now 35 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky, including an eight-month old baby in Jefferson County and the first patient from Warren County.
Governor Andy Beshear went over the 26 existing and nine new cases during his Wednesday afternoon news conference, noting coronavirus in babies or any juvenile is very rare and that the Jefferson County infant is doing well. The wife of Louisville Mayor Greg Fisher is among those 35 patients in the commonwealth, the mayor announced Wednesday.
The Christian County Health Department issued a statement reaffirming there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Christian County.
The governor announced recipients of public assistance programs such as Medicaid and SNAP will automatically have their eligibility extended for three months, meaning they will not have to go to the office now and recertify.
He is also encouraging the unemployed to go to the state website to begin the process of applying for Medicaid.
Governor Beshear has issued an order suspending all charitable gaming licenses—meaning no bingo for charity in Kentucky during the pandemic.
Banks across Kentucky have been guided to reduce in-person contacts by limiting lobby access in exchange for other ways of doing business such as the drive-thru lanes, online and on the phone. He says there’s no need for patrons to withdraw large amounts of cash—the move is simply a way to reduce person-to-person contacts to prevent the spread of the virus.
All of the orders and guidance are in order to increase social distancing and to reduce congregation of crowds in Kentucky. Officials continue to stress that good handwashing and hygiene practices are important to reduce the spread of coronavirus.