FRANKFORT, Ky. — The coronavirus continues to impact the lives of Kentuckians. The Interim Joint Committee on Health, Welfare, and Family Services heard the impact of the virus on several industries, like long-term care centers.

Kentucky’s long-term care centers have been hit hard by the coronavirus with the majority of Kentucky’s COVID-19 deaths coming from the centers, including five staff members. 

The Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities (KAHCF) testified in front of the committee with Betsy Johnson, president and executive director of the association, at times choking back tears as she spoke about the high death tolls these facilities have seen. 

“We’ve seen some of the highest numbers of COVID deaths in long term care in comparison with other states,” she said. 

The Cabinet for Health and Family Services later disputed that claim, saying Kentucky is currently ranked 20th in the country. KAHCF says providers need help to ensure the safety of their staff and residents. 

“We need a lot of help, mainly funding to maintain our workforce which has been decimated, funding to acquire additional PPE, and to support ongoing COVID testing,” Johnson said. 

Despite outbreaks of COVID and a high number of deaths in centers, Johnson maintains that has nothing to do with the quality of care.

“Some of the hardest-hit facilities are our best facilities, and some of these facilities I have recommended to my parents,” she said.

Adult day training centers, which provide care for mentally and physically disabled Kentuckians, are also being hit hard by the virus with a reduction in capacity of 93 percent and revenue losses of nearly 90 percent while costs to maintain facilities and pay employees has remained the same. 

“30 percent of my members report that they know of a day training provider that has gone out of business,” said Amy Staed, executive director of the Kentucky Association of Private Providers. “And this is really a disservice to adults with disabilities in Kentucky, they are experiencing significant regression.” 

Child care providers are in the same boat. With capacity limits remaining on providers, many say they will not make it to November if nothing changes. 

Gov. Andy Beshear (D) says an announcement on child care centers will be made soon.

Alzheimer’s and dementia patients are also being negatively impacted by the virus, with the Alzheimer’s Association saying that social isolation can lead to a rapid decline in the disease, behavioral issues, anxiety, and loneliness in patients.