Governor Andy Beshear focused on increased testing for COVID-19 in Kentucky during his Wednesday afternoon briefing and announced the beginning of reopening some elective medical procedures next week.
The governor called it phase one of reopening more of the medical sector, including diagnostic radiation, and he expects additional announcements in the coming days and weeks.
Governor Beshear announced 196 new cases from Tuesday to Wednesday, bringing the total to 3,373. Fourteen more Kentuckians have died from COVID-19, bringing the total to 185 since the pandemic began.
The Kroger drive-thru testing sites in Madisonville, Paducah, Somerset and Pikeville have tested about 571 people so far this week and Governor Beshear announced they’ll now test anyone, whether they have symptoms or not.
Additional drive-thru testing sites with Kroger will open next week in Bowling Green, Owensboro, Louisville and Lexington. He says testing capacity will continue to increase as Kentucky prepares to transition from being healthy at home to being healthy at work.
Tennessee now has 7,842 total COVID-19 cases and 166 deaths. Montgomery County has 128, Robertson is up to 123 and Stewart County has six confirmed cases.