Gradual reopening of Kentucky’s business and healthcare sectors was discussed during Governor Andy Beshear’s Monday afternoon COVID-19 briefing, in addition to information on the outbreak at Green River Correctional Complex in Muhlenberg County.
There were 163 new cases from Sunday to Monday, making the state total 5,245. Another eight Kentuckians died with COVID-19, marking a total of 261.
Kentucky Public Health Commissioner, Dr. Steven Stack says Phase 2 of reopening healthcare on Wednesday of this week will allow some elective surgeries and other procedures to go forward, but there will continue to be social distancing and sanitation requirements.
For small businesses that will need personal protective equipment in anticipating of reopening later this month, the governor says the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce has a way to purchase masks on its website.
The governor says expect restaurants to reopen with Phase 2 in June.
Green River Correctional Complex has already been hit hard by the virus and Governor Beshear says after comprehensive testing of everyone connected to the facility last week, they expect at least 120 additional cases.
Executive Secretary Michael Brown outlined a plan to contain the outbreak, saying those who are most vulnerable will be separated from the general population and the state can now isolate all of the positive cases away from the healthy.
Montgomery County has picked up one new case to 149, Robertson gained six more to 184 and Stewart County is up one to eight cases. Tennessee has 13,502 total cases and 219 deaths since the pandemic began.