Kentucky had its largest single-day jump in number of new COVID-19 cases from Thursday to Friday.
Governor Andy Beshear announced 322 new cases, bringing the total to 3,779. He acknowledged part of the reason for a big number is increased testing, but said it’s also evidence the battle against the virus is far from over.
Another nine Kentuckians have died from the virus, marking 200 since the pandemic began.
Governor Beshear announced a new drive-thru testing site for anyone beginning next week at the Trigg County Primary Care Clinic and says there will be a link to register at kycovid19.ky.gov.
He says 870 people were tested at the Kroger partner testing site in Madisonville this week.
The governor announced earlier in the day that Christian Fiscal Court will be receiving $58,000 from the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program and the City of Hopkinsville will get about $39,000. The Pennyroyal Arts Council is also receiving assistance through the CARES Act.
Governor Beshear says he’s commuted the sentences of another 352 non-violent and non-sexual felons who are nearing the end of their sentences.
Eight more inmates and two more staff members at Green River Correction Complex in Muhlenberg County have tested positive and the governor has announced that everyone at that facility will be tested.
Education Cabinet Deputy Secretary Josh Benton says they are now able to answer 50,000 calls a day about unemployment and they are working day and night to rectify claims that have been pending payment for over two weeks. Even so, he acknowledged that’s not enough for many Kentuckians who have been without a check for weeks.
Tennessee is up to 8,726 confirmed coronavirus cases and 168 deaths. Montgomery County has 132 cases, Robertson has 125 and Stewart County six.