Ky. sees 381 new COVID cases, new orders on childcare

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear made an announcements concerning aid to childcare facilities during Monday’s press conference and announce 381 new COVID-19 cases.

That puts the overall total of cases in the state at 48,396, and the positivity rate has remained somewhat steady at 4.42 percent. Governor Beshear says last week was the highest amount of cases gained in a week’s period, and this week is looking to be similar, so he urged everyone to make sure they’re staying strict about those health guidelines.

Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Eric Friedlander explained the emergency orders, saying the state government will be fast-tracking the registration and certification process for those looking to start small childcare locations, along with places that previously operated as temporary childcare locations, and they’ll providing some money to get that started.

Certified homes, licensed infant and one-year old classrooms will return to typical group sizes and he says they’ll also be increasing the group size that licensed childcare facilities can operate with will go from 10 to 15.

Three more Kentuckians have died, bringing the death toll in the state to 933.

Governor Andy Beshear and the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet also announced the Kentucky Department of Corrections has been awarded $551,000 in grant funding for significant enhancements to the state’s victim notification system.

The Tennessee Department of Health reported an additional 1,818 COVID-19 cases, and seven new deaths.  Montgomery County gained eight new cases, Robertson County saw one new case and Stewart County gained no new cases.