Wednesday COVID-19 update, 1,004 new cases

FRANKFORT, Ky. – As of 4 p.m. Sept. 30, Gov. Beshear said there were at least 68,840 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 1,004 of which were newly reported Wednesday. One hundred and fifty-four of the newly reported cases were from children ages 18 and younger, of which 28 were children ages 5 and under. The youngest was only 4 months old.

“Today’s report is a little tough. It’s the first time since March 6 that we’ve had over 1,000 cases in two consecutive days,” the Governor said. “One thousand four cases is a problem and that means we have to be more vigilant.”

Gov. Beshear reported four new deaths Wednesday, raising the total to 1,174 Kentuckians lost to the virus.

The deaths reported Wednesday include an 86-year-old man from Bullitt County; a 70-year-old man from Christian County; an 87-year-old man from Fayette County; and a 74-year-old man from Jefferson County.

“We have a number of others that are still going through our process, and sadly we are waiting to get information back, but I think we will see in the coming days that this can impact even younger adults,” the Governor said.

Gov. Beshear urged people to look over and take to heart updated guidance on 10 Steps to Fight COVID-19.

As of Wednesday, there have been at least 1,459,816 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate was 4.07%, and at least 11,840 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 also is being made available. To view the reports, click here for K-12 and here for colleges and universities.

Unemployment Insurance Claims
Gov. Beshear on Wednesday presented and update on the Lost Wages Assistance program from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which provides an additional $400 per week for those who qualify.

“Our first three weeks of payments are already out, already to those individuals. The fourth payment went out last night. The fifth should go out on Oct. 1 and the sixth is going out, if everything goes as planned, on Oct. 5,” the Governor said.

He also said Ernst & Young is continuing to help the state with letters of determination, a final step that has held up some payments.

Freedom Award
Gov. Beshear on Wednesday welcomed to the Capitol executives with office equipment and solutions giant Lexmark International and members of the military.

“Today, we have an exciting recognition to announce. It is my great honor as the Governor of Kentucky to congratulate Lexmark International as one of this year’s recipients of the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award,” the Governor said. “This award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to employers for their sustained support of employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.”

Among those present were Kentucky Adjutant Gen. Hal Lamberton, Col. (R) Phil Miller and Harry Wiley from the U.S. Department of Defense, as well as President and CEO of Lexmark Allen Waugerman, Brig. Gen. David Jenkins, Carl Sullivan and Patrick Brewer from Lexmark International.

“The Kentucky National Guard and Reserves are indispensable assets, and its soldiers are proud members of communities throughout Kentucky. They are our neighbors. They are the people that – outside of COVID – we sit in the bleachers with on Friday and in the pews with on Sunday,” said Gov. Beshear. “Lexmark has a long history of success and innovation in the Bluegrass, and that clearly extends to the company’s enlightened leadership, which supports its workers and all of our people with a strong military.”

Lexmark has also been named a Military Friendly Ò Employer for the fifth consecutive year, receiving the esteemed Gold designation for 2021. Lexmark’s scores exceeded the Military Friendly standard in all measured categories.

“The active, personal engagement of Lexmark President and CEO Allen Waugerman communicates a philosophy of support at every level, creating a culture that values, respects and considers itself accountable for the readiness and well-being of its Reservist employees,” said Col. (R) Miller, Kentucky state chairman of the Department of Defense Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. “I’d like to point out, that in addition to offering National Guard and Reserve members supplemental pay for their time away for military service, the Lexmark leadership team stays in contact and provides mentorship to employees who deploy overseas and they even go the extra mile to check on service member families to make sure they being taken care of.”

“We are honored to receive the Freedom Award from the Secretary of Defense,” said Waugerman. “Lexmark takes great pride in the communities where we live and work and we recognize the sacrifice that our veterans, guardsmen and their families make to support us.”