Coronavirus cases surpass 1,000 in Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky’s coronavirus outbreak surpassed 1,000 cases in the past month as Gov. Andy Beshear reported 54 new statewide cases Monday and 14 more virus-related deaths from the pandemic.

The latest coronavirus cases were about half the daily totals from last week, but the governor cautioned against concluding that it signals a trend in the fight to contain the virus.

“Fifty-four, that’s a lot less than we expected at this point, and the last two days are certainly less than the days before,” he said at his daily briefing. “Let’s not read anything into it until we see the following days. We think we are still escalating. But let me tell you, if you want to take something positive from this number, it’s that what you are doing is working.”

He has constantly preached the need to follow social-distancing guidelines and avoid gatherings.

While new cases were down from last week, the number of deaths reported Monday was the highest in one day since the outbreak began in Kentucky.

Meanwhile, Beshear made a plea for more donations of personal protective equipment to support front-line workers in the fight against the pandemic.

“I know we still have more PPE out there, and we need it,” he said. “This is a call to action, and you all have responded, but I know there’s more.”

Total statewide cases reached 1,008, the governor said. The state’s first coronavirus case was reported a month ago, and since then schools have closed statewide and many businesses have been temporarily shuttered to try to slow the virus’s spread.

Beshear reported 14 more virus-related deaths. Those who died ranged from 56 to 96 years old.

“Fourteen is hard,” the governor said, his voice choked with emotion. “It’s 14 Kentuckians loved by their families and their friends that we have lost to this virus.”

The latest deaths raise the state’s death toll from the virus to 59.

Nearly 20,000 people in Kentucky have been tested for the virus, Beshear said, adding that the actual number is probably higher.

Meanwhile, cabins at state parks will be used to house first responders and front-line health care workers who are placed in quarantine, the governor announced. The cabins will be available at parks in five locations across the state, his office said in a release.

“It’s a good use of those state parks,” Beshear said.

State park lodges could eventually be used to house some coronavirus patients, he said.

In the quest to obtain more personal protective equipment, Beshear said his administration is working constantly but has encountered significant challenges.

“Almost every lead we get is like going down a rabbit hole, or it is diverted by the federal government or to a different place,” the governor said.

Most people who contract COVID-19 have mild or moderate symptoms, which can include fever and cough but also milder cases of pneumonia, sometimes requiring hospitalization. The risk of death is greater for older adults and people with other health problems.

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Follow AP news coverage of the coronavirus pandemic at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.