Kentucky saw another 516 additional cases of COVID-19 and Governor Andy Beshear announced he will be extending the mandatory face mask order.
Those new cases have put the overall total at 33,254, and the positivity rate is currently sitting at 5.51 percent—at least 8,523 people have now recovered from the virus. Governor Beshear says they continue to believe the mask mandate is making a difference and they are extending the mandate for another 30 days.
There have been overall less cases this week compared to last week, and Governor Beshear says the data continues to show a slowing of growth.
Eight more Kentuckians have died, putting that total at 760. In good news, it was reported that all those who were sick, both inmates and staff, at Green River Correctional Complex have recovered.
The governor says they’ll be putting out new guidance involving restaurants, including capacity going back up to 50 percent but with a focus on maintaining outside seating options. He says to also expect a curfew for both bars and restaurants to stop serving at 10 p.m. across the state. Speaking on the Kentucky State Fair, the governor says they will be limiting the fair to ‘participants only’ and closed to the general public in an effort to halt the spread of COVID-19. Concerts, food vendors and other events will not take place.
The Tennessee Department of Health is reporting 2,252 new cases there, up to 116,350, and gained a record 42 deaths, putting that total at 1,186. Montgomery County gained 34 cases, Robertson County saw 31 new cases and Stewart County gained two new cases.