Schools across Kentucky have been asked by Governor Andy Beshear to continue non-traditional instruction for the remainder of the school year.
During his afternoon briefing Monday, the governor said the course of action mimics other states across the country and it goes along with the White House guidance.
He says that means Kentucky high school seniors won’t be able to have in-person graduations or prom, but he hopes they are able to find creative ways to have virtual or drive-in ceremonies.
Kentucky had 102 new cases of COVID-19 from Sunday to Monday, though the governor said that number may be artificially low because the state’s largest lab didn’t report Sunday. There have been 3,050 total cases since the pandemic began. One new staff member at Western State Hospital has tested positive and there have been five more inmates and two more staff at Green River Correctional Complex in Muhlenberg County.
Six new deaths were reported, including a 59-year old female in Crittenden County. Kentucky has had 154 COVID-19 fatalities.
Lieutenant Governor Jaqueline Coleman gave an update saying a priority has been placed on rectifying issues on unemployment claims that have been pending on payment for over two weeks.
Meanwhile, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee says his Safer at Home order will expire at the end of the month and the vast majority of businesses in 89 counties, including Montgomery, will be allowed to reopen on May 1 with social distancing measures in place.
Tennessee’s numbers of new cases have been dropping and they are currently at 7,238 total cases of COVID-19 and 152 deaths.