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FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Gov. Andy Beshear announced two additional coronavirus-related deaths and 54 new cases at his daily press conference Friday.
One of the victims was a 75-year-old woman from Fayette County. Beshear said 77-year-old man from Hopkins County also died, bringing the death toll from coronavirus in the state to eight and confirmed cases in the commonwealth to 302.
“I want us to think about their families. I want us to pray for them and their loved ones,” Gov. Beshear said. “And tonight we’re not only going to be lighting up Governor’s Mansion, we’re going to light up the dome of the Capitol green to show our compassion for those families. And I’d like everyone out there to do the same if you can.”
Northern Kentucky Health also announced Friday that there are currently 23 positive cases of coronavirus in the region, including 14 cases in Kenton County, five in Boone County and four in Campbell County.
At his daily press conference Thursday, Beshear said a 90-year-old man in a Perry County nursing home tested positive for the virus. He was removed and taken into isolated medical care.
The governor is asking officials to monitor basketball courts, public parks and state parks to make sure social distancing rules are being followed.
“The next two to three weeks are going to be absolutely critical in our battle against the coronavirus,” Beshear said Wednesday. “What you are doing is working. Your sacrifice is helpful. What we have done and the steps we are taking are helping. I am proud of what we are doing, but in these next two weeks we have to do even better.”
Earlier this week, Beshear also ordered non-essential retail stores closed effective Monday night to stop the spread of the virus. You can read the full order here.
Kentucky is also going to experiment with drive-thru coronavirus testing centers starting Monday. If that testing is successful, Beshear said, they would look at expanding the testing program.
Beshear also said the National Guard and additional law enforcement officers would be deployed at hospitals beginning this week to keep those inside the hospitals safe.
WCPO will update this story.
