Gov. Beshear asks Kentuckians to follow holiday guidelines

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Dec. 18, 2020) – On Friday, Gov. Andy Beshear reminded Kentuckians to follow new holiday guidance issued Thursday and reminded restaurant and bar owners to apply for assistance through the Team Kentucky Food and Beverage Relief Fund by midnight tonight, if they have not already done so.

“Christmas is probably my favorite day of the year, and I know we all want to celebrate the way we usually do, but this year we need to do things differently,” said Gov. Beshear. “With vaccines arriving this week, we can see the bright light at the end of the tunnel. Now we just need everyone to keep doing their part to protect one another.”

Team Kentucky Food and Beverage Relief Fund
The Governor reminded Kentuckians that Friday is the last day to apply for the $40 million Team Kentucky Food and Beverage Relief Fund. Check eligibility and apply here.

Case Information
As of 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, Gov. Beshear reported the following COVID-19 numbers:

• New cases Friday: 3,179
• New deaths Friday: 28
• Positivity rate: 8.59%
• Total deaths: 2,344
• Currently hospitalized: 1,712
• Currently in ICU: 410
• Currently on ventilator: 227

Top counties with the most positive cases Friday are: Jefferson, Fayette, Pulaski, Kenton and Warren. Each of these counties reported 100 or more new cases; Jefferson County alone reported 434.

Those reported lost to the virus Friday include a 64-year-old woman from Boyd County; two men, ages 67 and 71, from Christian County; a 75-year-old man from Clark County; a 92-year-old woman and an 84-year-old man from Fayette County; a 93-year-old woman from Graves County; a 71-year-old woman from Greenup County; a 70-year-old man from Hardin County; two men, ages 54 and 86, from Hopkins County; a 95-year-old woman and five men, ages 58, 74, 77, 77 and 79, from Jefferson County; a 57-year-old woman from Johnson County; an 84-year-old woman from Kenton County; a 93-year-old woman from Larue County; a 75-year-old woman from Lee County; a 90-year-old man from Marshall County; a 66-year-old man from Mason County; an 83-year-old woman and a 59-year-old man from McCracken County; a 74-year-old man from Pike County; a 95-year-old woman from Taylor County; and a 62-year-old woman from Union County.

School Recommendations and Requirements
The Governor said Kentuckians can now view his new executive order related to public health precautions in schools. Gov. Beshear first announced these updated requirements and recommendations on Dec. 14.

Here are the local reports provided from the Barren River District Health Department: