Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear says he believes an aggressive approach to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus is the appropriate tactic.
The governor offered another daily update late Wednesday afternoon.
He began the briefing in the state capitol with what he called “pretty good news,” “We had eleven cases, zero positives today. We had ten negatives and one inconclusive,” said Beshear.
Beshear added more positive tests will occur. There have been eight confirmed cases. He said all patients are stable, some with improving conditions. The governor said he spoke with school superintendents, saying an instruction to cancel classes, if it comes, could seek action within 72 hours. Beshear said the next month is critical.
“How we respond to this in the next month I believe is going to determine how long we are dealing with it, but also how severe the impacts of the coronavirus here in Kentucky are going to be,” explained Beshear.
The governor admitted there is no clear answer as to how long Kentucky will be dealing with the virus, but he believes an aggressive approach including canceling all community gatherings can help mitigate serious health issues.
State Public Health Commissioner Dr. Stephen Stack said it can take up to 13 days to demonstrate symptoms and those people can spread the disease. “The young ones appears to be safe from this. The challenge is they may still be infected. So you could have healthy appearing but infected individuals spreading disease,” Stack said.
Health officials continue to say as much as 80% of those infected are not having serious health issues.
Regarding the sweet 16 high school basketball tournaments, the governor believes some older fans should stay away. “Of people considering going to that, certainly 60 and older or falling in those vulnerable populations, my suggestion would be don’t go,” Beshear said.
And Beshear said general assembly leaders are considering adding ten extra days to the legislative session, that he says wouldn’t need to be made up.?
The governor said many questions about coronavirus can be answered by going to the state's website at
kycovid19@ky.gov