FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear on Saturday announced the creation of a fund to develop a permanent monument for the state’s COVID-19 victims.
What You Need To Know
- A new monument honoring those lost to COVID-19 will be in the works soon
- Gov. Beshear on Saturday announced the fund to develop a permanent monument in honor of the more than 4,800 Kentuckians lost to the virus
- Saturday marked one year since Kentucky reported its first case of COVID-19
- Experts and leaders are optimistic that vaccines will be available to all adults by May
Beshear made the announcements during a memorial service commemorating the 1-year anniversary of the commonwealth's first COVID-19 case. It was held in front of the Capitol in Frankfort, where the lawn was covered in small American flags, one for each of the over 4,800 Kentuckians who have died from the virus.
“We must never become numb to what these represent or the staggering number of flags,” Beshear said. Those who died were “unique and irreplaceable human beings.”
Several family members of victims spoke about those they have lost, often tearing up as they recounted the lives of firefighters, pastors and school workers killed by the virus.
Beshear said this anniversary is also one of hope, with the state now vaccinating tens of thousands of people each day. All qualified adults who want to be vaccinated should be able to get a vaccine by the end of May, he said.
Kentucky's daily case and positivity rate continue to decline, as the state reported 840 new cases, 52 new deaths, and a 4% positivity rate.