FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear on Friday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 in the commonwealth.
“We’ve got to come together and never make one another the enemy,” said Gov. Beshear. “Let’s step up and meet our challenge. We’re all called to be heroes in our time.”
Case Information
As of 4 p.m. Sept. 11, Gov. Beshear reported that there are at least 55,704 cases in Kentucky, 948 of which were newly reported Friday. One hundred fifty-one of the newly reported cases were from children ages 18 and younger, of which 24 were children ages 5 and under. The youngest was a 1-month-old from Jefferson County.
“This is the third-highest number of positive cases we’ve ever had in a single day,” said Gov. Beshear. “Our positivity rate is also going up.”
Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported nine new deaths Friday, raising the total to 1,044 Kentuckians lost to the virus.
The deaths reported Friday include a 67-year-old woman from Barren County; an 85-year-old man from Christian County; a 62-year-old man from Hopkins County; an 82-year-old woman from Lincoln County; a 76-year-old woman from Marion County; a 58-year-old man from Oldham County; a 76-year-old man from Pulaski County; and two women, ages 78 and 82, from Todd County.
“Remember other people’s health and lives are on the line and we need you to do your part,” said Gov. Beshear. “Do your patriotic duty. Wear your mask. Social distance. So little is being asked of us in this crisis. It just takes a little bit to be a hero right now.”
As of Friday, there have been at least 960,430 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate currently stands at 4.70 percent. At least 10,822 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.
For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here. To see all recent daily reports, click here.
Information about COVID-19 and schools is also being made available. To view the reports, click here for K-12 and here for colleges and universities.
Unemployment Help
After Gov. Beshear pushed for the additional help for unemployed Kentucky workers, the Office of Unemployment Insurance on Friday began processing the first week of FEMA’s Lost Wages Program for the weeks of July 26 to Aug. 15. Kentuckians who are eligible will begin receiving those funds in their accounts in the next two to three days.
“COVID-19 has caused the loss of millions of jobs across the nation, and unfortunately Kentucky is no exception,” the Governor said when the state’s application for the aid was accepted. “I am committed to fighting for every dollar to help our people survive this global pandemic and our workforce return to full strength.”
Read more about the unemployment assistance here.
Week in Review
Earlier Friday morning, the Governor held a moment of silence to honor those fallen, and ordered all flags to half-staff to commemorate 9/11.
“Sept. 11 forever changed us all,” Gov. Beshear said. “Today we mourn the thousands of lives lost, and grieve with those in pain, while also celebrating the courage of the day’s many heroes. We will never forget, and we lift our people in prayer.”
For more information on this week’s updates, including those on the Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund, grants for river ports, Kentucky’s flags being flown at half-staff, Kentucky surpassing 1,000 COVID-19 deaths and the Governor’s direct address to Kentuckians, visit governor.ky.gov/news.
More Information
Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and summaries of the Governor’s news conferences at teamkentuckytranslations.com.