Kentucky Public Health Commissioner Steven Stack says the vast majority of coronavirus deaths are occurring in vulnerable citizens and those over 50. During Thursday’s briefing at the capitol, Dr. Stack said 90% of the deaths in Kentucky have been seen in people over 60.
The public health commissioner noted that shouldn’t lessen the concern of lower risk citizens. “But, there are some folks who get really cavalier about this, which is kind of striking. Like the die anyway or they’re older people. I get letters every day who tell me that they really don’t want to die. They kind of value the one life they have and so, for them, it does matter,” said Stack.
Stack said everyone in the medical community continues to learn more about the virus. He said, in some cases, there is long term oxygen dependency for extended periods of time.
Governor Beshear reported 659 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday and seven additional deaths. Even with cases well above 600, the governor remains guardedly optimistic Kentucky is seeing a leveling off of cases.
Governor Beshear said Kentuckians should be prepared to wear a facial covering in public at least through early September. The governor’s executive order mandating mask wearing in public called for a 30 day period which runs out the second week of August. Beshear said it’s probable the order would be extended. If so, the governor indicated it would likely be at least another 30 days. “I believe that we ought to be ready to wear facial coverings in certain situations until we get this thing really far down and there’s some reason to think that it’s not going to come back or even a vaccine,” said Beshear
While court hearings continue on the question of evictions during coronavirus, Beshear added he doesn’t anticipate enforcement of evictions in the near future.
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