Confirmed COVID-19 Cases In Kentucky Climbs To 35

Governor Andy Beshear announced there were 35 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state as of Wednesday afternoon and more actions are being taken to combat the spread of the virus and protect the health of Kentuckians.

Governor Beshear said one of the new cases is an 8-month old child in Jefferson County, who is in good condition and being treated at home. He says this case is very rare from what they have seen with this virus.

He reported additional positive test results for COVID-19 Wednesday afternoon.

Beshear added another new confirmed case involves a man in his 60s in Franklin County.

He stated there is also some unconfirmed good news — one of the Montgomery County coronavirus patients is out of the hospital.

Governor Beshear said they have asked all medical providers to cease elective procedures as of the close of business Wednesday.

Other updates Wednesday included the Department of Community Based Services will extend certification periods for all recipients for all public assistance programs for 3 months (through May), which includes SNAP, Medicaid, Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (K-TAP) and State Supplementations. Beshear added those households whose certification periods end in May will automatically be extended to August, June to September, and so on. Job search, work and participation requirements are temporarily suspended for SNAP able-bodied adults without dependents, the Kentucky Works Program, and the Child Care Assistance Program.

In addition, the governor stated anyone who is unemployed and lost benefits can immediately apply for Medicaid so they can get the healthcare they need.

Effective immediately, Governor Beshear said all charitable gaming licensing is suspended, meaning no bingo.

He added depository institutions will be making changing including an adjustment to hours of operation, an adjustment or reduction of lobby access, and encouraging customers to use the drive-thru for in-person transactions, and banks will accept loan applications online or by phone and perform transactions electronically. Governor Beshear told people there is no need to withdraw money from banks, which he said are safe. He encouraged banks and their customers to take steps to limit contact with people.

In addition, the Governor also announced the state is working with federal partners to continue Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) payments on behalf of qualified families during the mandatory closure period. The state will also be covering copayments typically covered by families.

For information on COVID-19, visit kycovid19.ky.gov or call the statewide hotline at 1-800-722-5725.

As of 5 p.m. March 18, below is the state’s COVID-19 patient information that includes the 35 cases (some of which all of the demographics were not available immediately):