Editor’s note: With our coronavirus coverage, our goal is not to alarm you but to equip you with the information you need. We will try to keep things in context and focus on helping you make decisions. See a list of resources and frequently asked questions here.
FRANKFORT, Ky. -- With the faint sound of protesters outside the capitol, Gov. Andy Beshear said "reopening" the state now would be dangerous to Kentuckians.
"Folks, that would kill people. That would absolutely kill people," Beshear said during his Wednesday press conference.
Watch the press conference live in the player below:
Addressing protestors chanting "we want to work" and calls to "reopen Kentucky," Beshear said Kentcky is following White House guidelines by closing schools and businesses and enforcing social distancing protocols like governors in neighboring states.
"There is no partisanship in this. It’s us doing what it takes to protect people," Beshear said.
Beshear also announced there were 88 new positive COVID-19 tests, bringing the state total to 2,291. There were also seven new deaths, bringing that number to 115.
For virus response, Beshear compared Kentucky's position to "halftime" and that residents must stay focused on followup procedures to prevent the virus from spreading.
“We still believe we’re in the escalation, so we need to keep at it," he said.
At his briefing Wednesday, Beshear said a second drive-thru testing facility which opened in Kenton County on Wednesday has already tested 201 people with a "significant" number of appointments to be tested in the coming days.
Previously, he stated the goal of the facility is to perform 250 tests per day.
That testing facility is located at Summit View Academy, 5006 Madison Pike, Independence. Testing is only open to healthcare workers, first responders, those age 65 and older and people living with chronic health conditions.
To learn more and to make an appointment, click here or call (888) 852-2567 (select option 1, then option 3). Testing is free by appointment, and results will be available within 48 hours. Appointments are available Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m..
NKY Health reported Wednesday that 232 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the region. This includes 103 cases in Kenton County, 50 cases in Campbell County, 65 cases in Boone County and 14 cases in Grant County. So far, NKY Health has reported 18 virus-related deaths.
The total number of tests given to Kentuckians so far is 28,324. Currently, there are close to 352 people in intensive care in the state.
Beshear reported that 852 people have recovered from the coronavirus so far.
