FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 11, 2020) – On Monday, Gov. Andy Beshear provided updates on Kentucky’s fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Governor provided updates on coronavirus testing throughout the commonwealth, staying Healthy at Work and a report regarding a 10-year-old child who is ill related to COVID-19.
Case information
As of 5 p.m. May 11, Gov. Beshear said there were at least 6,677 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 105 of which were newly confirmed Monday. On Sunday, 141 new cases were confirmed.
Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear also reported four new deaths Monday and three new deaths Sunday, raising the total to 311 Kentuckians lost to the virus.
The deaths on Sunday include a 67-year-old man from Allen County, and two women, ages 73 and 90, from Jefferson County. The deaths on Monday include a 72-year-old man from Bullitt County, a 69-year-old man from Henderson County, a 79-year-old woman from Hopkins County, and a 72-year-old woman from Jefferson County.
At least 2,335 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 for Sunday’s information, and click here for Monday’s.
Child illness
Gov. Beshear and Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, talked about a troubling new case involving a child.
The Governor said a 10-year-old child in Kentucky is on a ventilator related to COVID-19.
Dr. Stack spoke about a new syndrome that is being recognized in young people related to the coronavirus.
“For parents, you should take great comfort that children overall do extraordinarily well with this and do not have serious illness,” said Dr. Stack. “However, there are a small number of children who can get a syndrome where their immune system becomes overactive and they have an extensive inflammatory response in their body.”
Dr. Stack said the disease is still out there and is still a danger and we must continue to take the steps to protect each other and follow the guidance issued.
Healthy at Work
Gov. Beshear has outlined the requirements to begin reopening major segments of the economy and society including houses of worship, which reopened May 9, and those that re-opened today, including: horse racing, manufacturing and distribution, office-based businesses, construction, pet grooming and boarding, photography and vehicle or vessel dealership. On May 18, government offices and agencies are set to re-open, and retail and funeral services are scheduled to re-open May 20. The full plans for those entities to reopen is posted online at healthyatwork.ky.gov.
All businesses should follow the 10 rules of staying healthy at work as well as industry-specific guidance, which continues to be issued as it is available for respective industries. See the full reopening schedule here.
In addition, Dr. Stack announced Health Care Reopening Phase 2 is beginning with outpatient and ambulatory surgery and invasive procedures.
All patients must have COVID-19 pre-procedure testing per professional association guidelines consistent with KDPH guidance. The 10 rules of reopening also apply, which includes universal masking and personal protective equipment (PPE), closed common areas, along with requirements to follow specific procedure guidance.