Kentucky's coronavirus test capacity could increase by at least 2,000 per day, Beshear says

Kentucky's coronavirus testing capacity is set to increase dramatically this week.

The state has entered an agreement with Covington-based Gravity Diagnostics to provide up to 2,000 tests per day and yield next-day results, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Sunday. The tests will primarily be used outside of the "Golden Triangle" between Louisville, Lexington and Northern Kentucky, Beshear said.

The amount of tests available each day will depend on the supply of swabs. Testing will focus on symptomatic patients, those in high-risk groups, health care workers and first responders.

"This is a significant step for us," Beshear said. "It means if we can get the swabs that we need, we can make sure there isn’t any area of the state that doesn’t have, at least compared to the rest of the country, a pretty significant ability to test. And the turnaround time is really critical."

Beshear said the tests will be shipped on Monday and be in use by Tuesday and Wednesday.

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The increased testing comes as the governor spent part of his Sunday briefing illustrating how Kentucky's social-distancing efforts have already begun making a difference.

"We believe folks have done a lot better than what we saw last weekend on our social distancing," Beshear said.

Beshear and Public Health Commissioner Steven Stack displayed two charts showing how Kentucky's rise in cases has been slower than several other states.

"We face a lot of public health challenges, and, unfortunately, we are at bottom in a number of other areas that we want to work real hard to fix," Stack said. "This is a time where being at the bottom is being the best, so you should celebrate the work Team Kentucky did. You should celebrate that Gov. Beshear took hard actions and that you have overwhelmingly chosen to follow them."

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer shared similar sentiments during his press conference earlier in the day.

"It does not mean when any of us come down from the peak we can just exhale and say, ‘OK we’re out of this,'" Fischer said. "It can come back if we have bad practices, so we’ve got to stay on top of what we’re doing, and once things start coming down we have to continue to be vigilant in our health practices.

"...We have the prescription to beat this dastardly virus: It’s stay home, stay home, stay home as much as possible. When you go out, practice social distancing."

Kentucky coronavirus live updates:Get the latest information here

Kentucky coronavirus map:How many coronavirus cases are in Kentucky? Where are they?

While he applauded most Kentuckians for taking social distancing seriously, Beshear also warned that further punishment could be coming for anyone who continues to defy the orders against public gatherings, including churches that continue to hold in-person services.

"I wish that there weren’t people out there that were willing to make decisions knowing that would happen," Beshear said. "We’re going to have to make sure that we lessen those opportunities."

Beshear announced 38 new coronavirus cases and five new deaths Sunday, bringing the state's total to at least 955 cases and 45 deaths. He said at least 18,000 tests had been done and 306 people had recovered. 

The governor cautioned against reading too much into the low number of cases compared to recent days because not as many labs report tests on Sunday.

Fischer reported 313 positive cases and 20 deaths in Jefferson County, with 39 of those cases and six deaths coming since Friday. Those numbers differ somewhat from the governor's, as there is lag between various data reporting sources to the state. 

Included in the positive tests in Louisville are three LMPD officers. Tests for three other officers are pending. 

The Indiana State Department of Health Sunday reported 11 new deaths, bringing the statewide total to 127. The number of positive test results jumped by more than 400 to 4,411 from the Saturday total of 3,953.

TARC bus driver tests positive

A bus operator for TARC, which runs public transit routes around Louisville and Southern Indiana, has tested positive for COVID-19, the agency confirmed Saturday.

This person's most recent day of work was March 27, according to a news release from TARC, the Transit Authority of River City.

They became ill on March 30, and the agency verified on Saturday that they had tested positive for the coronavirus.

"The bus operator drove Route 10 from 12:20 p.m. until 9:22 p.m. on the day of March 27," TARC said. The organization suggested that anyone who rode that particular route on that particular day should monitor themselves for possible COVID-19 symptoms.

The transit agency stressed that people should not use its services to travel unless absolutely necessary amid the current pandemic.

Read more:Louisville police investigate video of man assaulting women over social distancing dispute

TARC says it is operating solely for "essential services," which include obtaining supplies and services that are necessary "to sustain your life and the lives of others" as well as going to and from work if one's employer has been deemed an "essential business."

"All TARC riders should be practicing social distancing at all times to avoid exposing themselves and others while on or off TARC buses," the agency also said.

Courier Journal reporters Sarah Ladd and Morgan Watkins contributed to this story. Contact Jon Hale at jahale@courier-journal.com or on Twitter @JonHale_CJ. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today:courier-journal.com/jonh.