On March 24, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced the largest increase yet in confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Bluegrass State — including one person who reportedly contracted the virus from a "coronavirus party."
Beshear says that, including 39 new cases announced Tuesday, the state now has at least 163 confirmed cases of the coronavirus. Four people have recovered so far. At least another four have died from the virus in Kentucky.
The party Beshear mentioned involved a group of people in their 20s who said they were unaware someone in attendance actually had the virus, the governor said. He called for forgiveness for the young people.
“Anyone who goes to something like this may think they’re indestructible, but it’s someone else’s loved one that they are going to hurt,” he said during his daily briefing Tuesday. “We are battling for the health and the lives of our parents and our grandparents. Don’t be callous as to intentionally go to something and expose yourself to something that will hurt other people. We ought to be much better than that.”
Beshear's briefing today comes after he ordered all businesses that aren't "life sustaining" to close.
According to a post on the official website for the governor's office, those vital businesses include "grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, hardware stores, gas stations and other businesses that provide staple goods."
A more detailed list provided in the order includes these as necessary retail:
- Automotive parts, repair, accessories and tire stores
- Auto, truck and van rental
- Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers
- Banks, credit unions, check cashing, wire transfer and other financial services
- Grocery stores, supermarkets, specialty food stores, meat markets, fish and seafood markets, fruit and vegetable markets and beer, wine and liquor stores
- Pharmacies and drug stores
- Gas stations and convenience stores
- General merchandise stores including warehouse clubs and supercenters
- Pet and pet supply stores
