Governor Beshear used the word “urgency” Monday more than once to describe what he sees as a need for stepped up adherence to COVID-19 prevention.
Saying he believes coronavirus cases are escalating for a third time since March, the governor still says a drop in virus spread is achievable. “If we can get people wearing masks, if we can get them social distancing, if we can get them following the very basics we can start decreasing our number of cases. But we need everybody. They talk about 80% of people wearing masks, we need a 100% of people wearing masks,” said Beshear.
Beshear said, quote, “the virus is here and wants for us to get casual.” The governor said the state saw its highest number of weekly cases last week.
The state is setting up an online dashboard for local schools to report coronavirus activity. Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman said schools are to self-report Monday through Friday for each day they’re in session.
Governor Beshear noted he’s confident in-person instruction can work as long as local school officials follow state guidance and the local incidence map. “If you hit red and you’re continuing with in-person classes, then no, I don’t have confidence cause you’re not following the guidance that’s out there. And if the approach is we’re going to do what we want to do no matter what, then you can’t manage the virus in that way,” Beshear said.
Following limited reporting from labs on the weekend, Beshear announced 456 cases Monday and five new deaths.
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