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Gov. Beshear Urges Safe New Year’s Celebrations

Denver CBS

On Tuesday, Gov. Andy Beshear urged Kentuckians to ring in the new year safely and announced two new vaccine allocations, totaling 53,700 doses, for Kentucky the week of Jan. 4: 27,300 doses from Pfizer and 26,400 doses from Moderna.

“I ask every single Kentuckian to keep any New Year’s celebration small, preferably your own household or one more,” said Gov. Beshear. “Remember, going to a big party, hosting a big party or going to any gathering where you’re going to take your masks off will spread this virus at a time where Kentucky is doing better than most, but the virus is rampaging through the United States and we’re seeing record deaths just about everywhere.”

The Governor also said today Walgreens reported 1,009 additional vaccinations administered to long-term care residents and staff; CVS reported 501.

As of 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29, Gov. Beshear reported the following COVID-19 numbers:

New cases today: 2,990

New deaths today: 31

Positivity rate: 8.41%

Total deaths: 2,594

Currently hospitalized: 1,635

Currently in ICU: 380

Currently on ventilator: 211

Top counties with the most positive cases today are: Jefferson, Warren and Kenton. Each of these counties reported 100 or more new cases; Jefferson County alone reported 414.

Those reported lost to the virus today include an 88-year-old woman from Boone County; an 86-year-old man from Clinton County; a 73-year-old man from Daviess County; a 52-year-old man from Floyd County; an 87-year-old man from Graves County; a 78-year-old woman from Hopkins County; three women, ages 33, 91 and 93, and an 85-year-old man from Jefferson County; a 97-year-old man from Jessamine County; a 75-year-old woman from Knott County; a 93-year-old man from Larue County; a 95-year-old man from Laurel County; a 77-year-old man from Marshall County; a 76-year-old man from McCracken County; a 77-year-old man from Ohio County; a 76-year-old woman from Owen County; two women, ages 80 and 101, from Perry County; two women, ages 79 and 83, and a 78-year-old man from Pulaski County; two women, ages 58 and 86, and a 61-year-old man from Taylor County; a 50-year-old woman and two men, ages 75 and 82, from Wayne County; a 68-year-old man from Webster County; and a 74-year-old man from Wolfe County.

Today, Gov. Beshear announced the new federal COVID-19 relief bill includes more than $5 billion for Kentucky, including funds for direct payments, unemployment insurance, rental assistance, vaccine distribution and more. The Governor emphasized that these figures are preliminary estimates, but are subject to change.

Direct Payments to Households – $2,265,302,000

Unemployment Insurance, $300/week for 11 weeks – $489,614,031

Rental/Utility/Energy Assistance – $297,396,819

Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund – $928,275,000

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund – $261,015,000

Governor's Education Emergency Relief Fund-2/3rds for private schools – $60,305,000

Child Care Development Block Grant – $192,822,381

Promoting Safe & Stable Families – $1,004,000

Meals for Seniors – 2,259,000

Chafee Foster Care Program – $5,879,000

Chafee Education & Training Vouchers-Foster Youth – $899,000

Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant – $19,221,000

Mental Health Block Grant – $21,560,000

Testing, Tracing and Mitigation – $289,654,359

Vaccine Distribution – $56,965,810

Federal Highways-Surface Transportation Block Grant – $164,914,864

FAA-Airport Improvement Program – $28,249,556

Gov. Beshear reminded Kentuckians that the CDC has extended its moratorium on evictions through Jan. 31, 2021. The Governor renewed a previous executive order mandating that the CDC moratorium apply in Kentucky.

Today, the Governor renewed the state’s face coverings mandate for an additional 30 days; the current executive order is set to expire at 4:59 p.m. on Jan. 2 and the new order will be effective on Jan. 2 at 5 p.m.

Gov. Beshear also signed Executive Order 2020-1057 that extends previous orders allowing pharmacists to dispense 30-day refills. The current executive order is set to expire at the end of Jan. 3; the new order will be effective for 30 days beginning Jan. 4.

To view the full daily report, incidence rate map, testing locations, long-term care and other congregate facilities update, school reports and guidance, red zone counties, red zone recommendations, the White House Coronavirus Task Force reports for Kentucky and other key guidance visit online at: http://kycovid19.ky.gov

(provided by the Office of Gov. Andy Beshear)

Paul Hitchcock earned his Masters in Communications from Morehead State University and Bachelors in Radio-TV/Psychology from Georgetown College. A veteran broadcaster for more than 40 years and an avid fan of blues, jazz and American roots music. Hitchcock has been with WMKY since 1986 and was named General Manager in 2003. He currently hosts "Muddy Bottom Blues" (Fri., 8pm-9pm), "Nothin' But The Blues" (Sat., 8pm-12am), "Sunday Night Jazz Showcase" and "Live From The Jazz Lounge" (Sun., 8pm-9pm) and "The Golden Age of Radio" (Sun., 2pm-3pm). He also serves as producer for "A Time For Tales" and "The Reader's Notebook."
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