Kentucky logged its largest number of new coronavirus cases and deaths to date Tuesday, and Gov. Andy Beshear is bracing the state for rising totals in the coming weeks.
"Today, we had a tough day, and there are going to be more tough days ahead," the governor said.
In his daily briefing, Beshear reported 114 new cases, 17 of them in Fayette County, and seven deaths believed to be connected to the virus. The increasing numbers, he said, do not reflect negatively on the sacrifices being made by everday Kentuckians but are instead in line with expectations as the infection increases its reach across the country.
New steps to blunt the effects in the commonwealth include easing restrictions to allow more new and recently retired nurses to either begin or return to work. Also, the state is expanding childcare options provided to first responders to grocery store employees.
"We need them. We know that the food supply chain is safe, but we have to make sure that we have enough people that are there stocking the shelves day in and day out," the governor explained.
A "practice run" for drive-up coronavirus testing is expected in the next couple days in Franklin County, he said, although the state continues to encounter hurdles in obtaining enough kits and personal protective equipment.
Once again, Beshear stopped short of moving forward with the cancellation of school through May, but did tell reporters it's "more than in the realm of possibility" that there will be no more in-person classes this school year.
Asked about the possibility that the General Assembly could pass a one-year budget instead of a two-year spending plan, the governor coudn't recall that happening before but expressed an openness to the idea if it meant lawmakers could pass a budget more quickly and head home.
