Kentucky linked 17 new deaths to the novel coronavirus Tuesday, but Gov. Andy Beshear says the number of new cases is remaining flat in the commonwealth - and he's asking businesses to begin thinking about what day-to-say operations might look like once they come back online.
Despite the relatively sharp increase in the death toll claimed by the virus, the governor said Kentucky is maintaining an overall steady trajectory thanks to residents' willingness to heed the advice of health experts. Judging from averages, Beshear said, "we have, in fact, likely plateaued."
Still the governor counseled that the commonwealth has to remain vigilant to avoid a resurgence of cases. Acting prematurely in lifting precautions or easing social distancing could put the state back on the increase, he cautioned.
The state's health commissioner said Tuesday that, even with recent gains, Kentucky's testing capacity is still at "a third or fourth" of where it needs to be.
As the state works toward reaching White House benchmarks, officials will be seeking input from businesses on how they plan to meet CDC guidelines once discussions shift toward restarting the economy. Beshear chief of staff La Tasha Buckner listed some of the questions the state wants answered before stores will be able to open their doors, including plans for reporting positives, quarantining employees, accomodating more vulnerable customers, and providing masks for workers and patrons.
Looking toward any easing of restrictions, the governor said Kentucky shouldn't focus on being "the fastest, but the smartest and the best."
