FRANKFORT, Ky. — 68 of Kentucky’s 120 counties qualify as a red zone for new coronavirus cases, and Gov. Andy Beshear wants those counties to follow a new plan to limit the spread.

What You Need To Know

  • More than half of Kentucky's counties have high coronavirus cases

  • The elevated red zone counties prompts governor to issue new guidelines

  • Beginning Monday, red zone counties should work from hme, postpone events and othter activities

  • Gov. Beshear believes if more people followed the recommendations the elevated levels would drop

“This is exploding across our nation,” Beshear said. “It’s threatening to take more lives in the last couple of months we ever fathomed we would lose, so we need your help.”

The red zone distinction discussed Thursday means those counties, listed here, have an incidence rate of at least 25 new cases per 100,000 people on a daily basis.

The metric is slightly different than the one used by The White House to determine red zones, which is at least 101 new cases per 100,000 people over the last week.

Beshear issued new guidelines for those counties to start following Monday, including work from home when possible, postpone or cancel public events, limit in-person shopping and dining, and avoid any non-essential activities. This was similar to the guidance offered Monday, following a record week of new coronavirus cases.

Beshear said if federal and state health experts recommend new restrictions, he’ll consider them, but he believes the current restrictions are tight enough.

The problem in Kentucky, Beshear said, is people not following the current orders.

“If not enough people are following the mandate, will another mandate help with that compliance?” Beshear asked.

Thursday’s update was Beshear’s last scheduled one before Halloween, and he said guidance for the holiday hasn’t changed.

He believes Kentuckians will be safe as long as they follow those suggestions.

For more information about coronavirus in Kentucky, visit our Coronavirus Blog. 

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