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'Ought To Create A Knot In Your Stomach': Kentucky COVID Cases Rise By 576 Tuesday

KET

Kentucky reached its second highest single-day coronavirus case tally Tuesday, a number the governor said should serve as "another wake-up call."

The day's data offered more confirmation that the commonwealth is witnessing another COVID-19 spike, with Gov. Andy Beshear reporting 576 new cases, pushing the state's total over 20,000. Were it not for mass testing at a prison facility, Tuesday would mark the highest one-day report yet.

"If 400 made you gulp, 576 ought to create a knot in your stomach because what we face is very, very real," Beshear said. "What we do know is going to determine whether we can push that back down or whether we will suffer more cases and more deaths."

At the same time, the state's top health official, Dr. Steven Stack, said evidence is also mounting about the effectiveness of wearing masks. The precaution is fast becoming the leading recommendation of health experts, who say it could turn the numbers around in hard hit areas.

In his remarks, Stack referenced a CDC report on two hairstylists in Springfield, Missouri who tested positive for COVID-19, but had followed masking guidelines prior. The agency found that none of their 139 clients, who also followed local restrictions, contracted the illness.

"That's a lot people, folks. All because they wore a cloth face covering just like the ones we're asking you to here," the public health commissioner said.

To provide a way for Kentuckians to report concerns about non-compliance at businesses and gatherings, the state is reviving a hotline: 1-833-KYSAFER.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.
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