Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear gave an update on numerous initiatives happening in the state Monday, while reporting 1,268 new cases of COVID-19.
First, the governor announced up to $38 million is available to local governments to help Kentuckians with overdue utility bills in their jurisdiction. Each unit of local government may request up to $200,000 for assistance in their communities and Governor Beshear says this is just another way to help Kentuckians recover from the impact of the pandemic.
The 1,268 new cases of coronavirus puts the overall total in the Commonwealth at 347,836—the positivity rate is at 9.93 percent. Governor Beshear says they continue to see evidence of a decline in new cases and that’s thanks to the efforts of all citizens.
Thirty-nine more Kentuckians have died due to COVID, bringing the death toll to 3,460. The governor took a minute to remember Tara Mahone, a Christian County native, mother and daughter, who was a staunch advocate in the community in the justice system and for local youth and is an inductee into the Department of Family and Juvenile Services Hall of Fame.
In an update on unemployment, General Counsel Amy Cubbage says funding continues to go to individuals who have been waiting for a claim payment and have yet to receive one. She says there has been an uptick in fraudulent claims being filed—if you have received a letter about a claim you didn’t file, she urges that you report it to the Attorney General’s website.
The Tennessee Department of Health reported 2,841 new cases of COVID-19, along with 40 new deaths.