Capitol to Calloway

Capitol 

Sunday

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced 38 new confirmed coronavirus cases in Kentucky since yesterday’s press conference.

This brings the total number of confirmed Kentucky cases to 955, with over 306 Kentuckians having recovered from COVID-19.

Beshear announced a new agreement with Gravity Diagnostics in Covington for up to 2,000 coronavirus tests per day. These tests are dependent on the availability of swabs.

Unlike national companies that can take 7-10 days for test results to be returned, Gravity Diagnostics can read tests within 24 hours.

“This is a significant step for us,” Beshear said. “If we have a group of healthcare workers who are self-quarantining and we need them back in the hospitals, then they can get back to work.”

Beshear also mentioned the northern Kentuckian suing him asked for a temporary injunction in court. The judge did not approve the request.

Saturday

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced 92 new confirmed coronavirus cases in Kentucky since yesterday’s press conference.

This brings the total number of confirmed Kentucky cases to 917, with over 16,663 Kentuckians having been tested for COVID-19.

“We’re still not getting all the reports from all the labs on everybody who has been tested,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said. “Sometimes we just get the number of positives.”

Three new Kentuckians lost their lives due to coronavirus: a 56-year-old female from Fayette County, 52-year-old female from Bullitt County and 81-year-old male from Boone County.

Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Eric Friedlander announced during the Commonwealth’s state of emergency, Kentuckians who need healthcare can complete the healthcare coverage application. This temporary coverage ends June 30.

Beshear recommended consumers to wear cloth masks instead of surgical masks when going to the grocery store.

“Just because you wear a mask doesn’t mean you can get within six feet of somebody and have a conversation, Beshear said.

Examples of needed personal protective equipment (PPE) are N95 face masks/respirators, face shields, latex-free gloves, oxygen concentrators and disposable gowns.

“If you are a Kentucky company and you think you can manufacture any [PPE], give us a call,” Beshear said. “If we have a manufacturing base to create PPE, we will be in a better place than just about any other state. We can work with you on the specs.”

As of Saturday, there are a total of 18,500 hospital beds, 1,300 intensive care unit beds and 1,352 ventilators in Kentucky’s hospitals.

There have also been fewer cases of influenza in Kentucky as people are practicing social distancing.

Friday

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced 90 new confirmed coronavirus cases in Kentucky since yesterday’s press conference.

One of the new cases is from Calloway County. This brings the total number of confirmed Kentucky cases to 831.

Six new Kentuckians lost their lives due to coronavirus: a 60-year-old female from Jefferson County, 86-year-old female from Madison County, 88-year-old female from Jefferson County, 64-year-old male from Jefferson County, 69-year-old male from Jefferson County and 76-year-old female from Hopkins County.

Fortunately, 228 Kentuckians have recovered from the novel COVID-19.

While known for giving home improvement and grocery stores a hard time, Beshear acknowledged consumers’ responsibility to maintain social distancing.

“I get a lot of complaints, and we follow up on them, about crowds at these stores,” Beshear said. “Part of that fault might be the store’s, but the other part of that fault is everybody that is a part of the crowd. We have to take that personal responsibility to know that our actions matter.”

Beshear urged Kentuckians to use their free time to fill out the 2020 census to gain the most accurate economic data possible.

“We’re going to have to rebuild our economy after this,” Beshear said. “I’m actually looking forward to it because when we’re doing that it means we are beyond this COVID crisis. It means we are beyond the challenge of our times and the test of our humanity.”

Projections show that if Kentuckians follow strict compliance to social distancing for three months, approximately 2,000 deaths will occur.

“If we can keep this up… we could save at the very least 11,000 people under this model,” Beshear said.

Team Kentucky’s ten steps to fight COVID-19 are the following:

1. Stay healthy at home
2. Avoid crowds and gatherings
3. Practice social distancing
4. Know when to seek care
5. kycovid19.ky.gov
6. Wash hands and surfaces
7. Apply for benefits
8. Prioritize mental health
9. Do not travel
10. Report non-compliance

People and organizations who have personal protective equipment to donate can learn about nearby collection facilities here.

If you are healthy but just nervous, call the coronavirus hotline at 1-800-722-5725.

Calloway

COVID-19

As of Saturday at 8 p.m., Calloway County Health Department received notification of the county’s sixth confirmed case of coronavirus. Additional information about the person could not be released because of medical privacy laws. 

Public Schools

On Friday, Kentucky public school superintendents had a statewide conference call with Gov. Andy Beshear and Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) Commissioner Kevin Brown. They recommended public schools continue non-traditional instruction (NTI) days through Friday, May 1.

Tacos for Teachers

On Friday, Murray’s Purpose Church bought lunch for participating Murray and Calloway teachers and staff from HandHeld Food Truck.

Pass/Fail

Murray State Provost Tim Todd announced last Thursday that Murray State students will have the option to choose between receiving traditional letter grades or taking classes as pass/fail this semester. A list of courses approved for students to change to pass/fail grades and the request form have been posted here. The deadline for students to submit their request is Friday, April 24.

Summer Classes

Registration for summer 2020 courses begins April 6. Over 300 classes will be offered online only. For more information, visit murraystate.edu/summer.

Murray State Doctor of Nursing Program

Murray State’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program has been ranked among the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report, earning its distinction as a 2021 U.S. News Best Graduate School.