Governor Andy Beshear announced new actions required due to the rising number of positive COVID-19 cases. Positive rates have jumped from 2% in mid-March to about 4% in recent weeks.

The number of people who can gather in social, non-commercial gatherings has been reduced from 50 back to 10 or fewer people. The guidance does not include weddings, restaurants, retail or other public venues.

“We’re seeing clusters created by our backyard barbeques, our block parties, and it’s because we let our guard down. We have a lot of friends over and we know them. We figure they’re probably doing everything right,” said Gov. Beshear. “We take off our masks, we relax, we get too close, we stand around while people are grilling and we’re seeing some very difficult outcomes because of it. So much depends on us trying to stop this thing before it gets out of control.”

Dr. Steven Stack, the commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, knows the impact COVID-19 has already had on the economic, physical and mental well-being of the state’s residents. He’s encouraging everyone to do their part to keep Kentucky moving forward. “Our fate is collectively in Team Kentucky’s hands whether we can adopt a simple measure like wearing a mask,” he said. “If we don’t take some strong action, people will see how bad things can get in Kentucky, and believe me, we don’t want to get there.”

As of Monday, July 20, there have been at least 533,143 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate currently stands at 4.52 %. At least 6,876 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.

Learn more about recent updates and any questions you might have about COVID-19 in the Commonwealth here.