Governor also recognizes National Minority Health Month, state’s progress on COVID-19 health outcomes equity
FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 19, 2021) – On Monday, Gov. Andy Beshear and Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, updated Kentuckians on the state’s Healthy at Work requirements aimed at keeping all employees and their families safe.
The Healthy at Work minimum requirements list has been simplified and now applies to all businesses.
“We have fought really hard to get where we are – a much better place than in the fall and winter – allowing us to streamline some of our guidance,” said Gov. Beshear. “I hope people are able to enjoy some of these capacity increases. We can do so safely if we continue to wear our masks.”
The minimum requirements list includes specifications for:
- Physical distancing;
- Facial coverings;
- Hand washing and sanitizing;
- Ventilation;
- Telework;
- Common areas; and
- Daily temperature/health checks.
Events with 1,000 or fewer people in a single space are limited to 60% capacity, or the maximum number of people that allows for physical distancing. Events with more than 1,000 people in a single space are limited to 50% capacity, or the maximum number of people that allows for physical distancing.
Only a few types of businesses still have supplemental Healthy at Work requirements: health care facilities; wedding, funeral or memorial service venues; restaurants and bars; pools and bathing facilities; and gyms, sports and exercise activities.
“What we’re doing today is simplifying our guidance so it’s easier for Kentuckians to follow and easier for them to stay safe,” said Dr. Stack. “I look forward to the day when we put COVID behind us and none of these requirements are necessary. The way we get there is for everyone to make the choice to get vaccinated. These vaccines are amazing tools to help us get our lives back.”
Gov. Beshear also said that Black and Hispanic Kentuckians are no longer disproportionately represented among the commonwealth’s COVID-19 deaths.
“I’m proud to report in our newest statistics, we have now either achieved proportionate or even disproportionately low numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths among most groups of minority Kentuckians,” said Gov. Beshear. “For instance, Black and African-American Kentuckians make up 8.4% of the state’s population; to date, they make up only 8% of all of Kentucky’s COVID-19 cases and 8.1% of Kentucky’s COVID-19 deaths. This used to be 16% and it’s been cut in half.”
Case Information
As of 4 p.m. Monday, April 19, Gov. Beshear reported the following COVID-19 numbers:
Kentuckians vaccinated (have received at least one dose): 1,665,196*
New cases today: 231
New deaths today: 4
New audit deaths: 5
Positivity rate: 3.46%
Total deaths: 6,347
Currently hospitalized: 402
Currently in ICU: 121
Currently on ventilator: 43
Top counties with the most positive cases today are: Jefferson, Trigg, Crittenden, Kenton and Fayette. Each county reported at least 10 new cases.
To see a list of those reported lost to the virus today, click here.
*Last Monday, the Governor reported that vaccination data would update throughout the week after the state’s reporting system completed a security upgrade.
Gov. Beshear Recognizes National Minority Health Month
The U.S. Office of Minority Health has proclaimed April 2021 as National Minority Health Month, and Gov. Beshear signed a proclamation recognizing that month in the commonwealth.
“COVID-19 laid bare the inequalities that have plagued our nation for far too long, highlighting the need for more work and progress to be made,” said Gov. Beshear. “That’s why my administration launched the 1-2-3 campaign to enroll more Black and Hispanic Kentucky residents in Medicaid. Now, we are working to ensure the equitable distribution of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines by increasing access and services to those underserved communities. The recognition of this month is another step in the right direction of a better Kentucky for all.”
More Information
To see all vaccination sites and free transportation options to and from vaccination appointments, visit vaccine.ky.gov. To see a list of vaccination sites that have openings this week, visit vaccinemap.ky.gov. If Kentuckians have questions, they should call the state’s COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline, 855-598-2246 or TTY 855-326-4654 (for deaf or hard-of-hearing Kentuckians).
To view the full daily report, incidence rate map, information on testing locations, vaccines, contact tracing, school reports and guidance, guidance for health care providers and the White House Coronavirus Task Force reports for Kentucky and more, visit kycovid19.ky.gov.
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