FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — Gov. Andy Beshear said Sunday afternoon that he will make an announcement on Monday involving 'additional steps' in response to the latest COVID-19 surge in the state of Kentucky.
This could include the closing of bars and reduced restaurant capacity, as Gov. Beshear hinted numerous times this past week.
"I will not let us become an Alabama, a Florida or an Arizona. We’ve got to take proactive steps and that’s what we’re trying to do," said Gov. Beshear.
Gov. Andy Beshear and Dr. Deborah Birx, Response Coordinator for the White House Coronavirus Task Force, met with the media Sunday afternoon following a meeting with each other along with community, business and health leaders.
Dr. Birx began the press briefing talking about her concerns she has with the latest surge of positive COVID-19 cases in the state of Kentucky.
She says Kentucky should continue mandating the wearing of masks and continuing to practice social distancing, also saying people should avoid large crowds.
Dr. Birx says during the first wave of the pandemic, cases started to spread in more rural areas and that cases have now started spreading at household levels. She added she believes that trend has made its way through the south and is heading north.
With Kentucky currently sitting between a 5 to 7 percent positivity rate, Dr. Birx said the state has a chance to 'get ahead' of the situation that's happened in Arizona and other states that have seen alarmingly fast surges across the country.
*This is a developing story and more information will be added when it becomes available.
We’re about to hear from @GovAndyBeshear & Dr. Deborah Birx after they met to discuss #coronavirus earlier today. pic.twitter.com/u0qEVgkqk8
— Kristen Edwards (@kedwards_tv) July 26, 2020
