Cases continue to be confirmed within the Lincoln Trail District Health Department. In their latest release, the Department confirmed the presence of 119 cases of COVID-19, with new cases being announced in both Hardin and Meade counties. Elsewhere around the area, Breckinridge County officials announced there are 11 cases in the county, and the Grayson County Health Department confirmed three new cases in the county, bringing their total to 91.
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In his evening press conference last night, Governor Andy Beshear announced that there are now 5,822 cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth. Yesterday saw the biggest spike in cases thus far, with 625 new cases confirmed. More than 300 of these positive cases were a result of testing at Green River Correctional Complex. It is believed that 2,058 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus, however there were 14 new deaths reported on Tuesday, bringing the state’s total to 275. Many of the announced deaths on Tuesday were related to long-term care facilities, and Dr. Steven Stack addressed this in the press conference, noting that they are about to “embark on a very aggressive program to test the long-term care facilities over the weeks ahead at a very brisk pace.” The Governor announced that a new testing location in Pikeville would be opening today at Pikeville medical center, and information for signing up at that testing location is available at kycovid19.gov.
United Way of Central Kentucky and the Central Kentucky Community Foundation have combined their disaster relief efforts in the face of COVID-19. The two found similar goals in helping people getting the help they needed, CKCF has reportedly seen a record number of requests seeking assistance with rent, food, and utilities in the last month. Donations to the fund can be made at ckcf4people.org/central-kentucky-cares.
Even with NTI days still taking place, schools from around the area are already beginning their unique graduation ceremonies for the class of 2020. Yesterday, students from Central Hardin and Elizabethtown High Schools took part in ceremonies designed to promote social distancing. Central Hardin students drove through the athletic complex, where friends and family could see their student walk across a stage to receive their diploma. Elizabethtown High School seniors participated in a ceremony yesterday, allowing one student at a time to enter the gym to walk across the stage. Graduations for North and John Hardin, as well as Hardin County High School, will take place later this week and next.
The Grayson County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Trenton man Monday morning after a traffic stop for speeding. Upon contact with the driver, 35-year-old Jonathan Perdue, officers noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Investigation revealed that Perdue did not have a valid driver’s license, and was in fact suspended for driving on his third DUI. Perdue failed field sobriety tests, and his vehicle was searched, revealing the presence of synthetic marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and over ten grams of methamphetamine. Perdue was charged with several traffic and drug related offences including possession and trafficking. His two passengers, Ashley Pratt of Lexington and Jonathan McCoy of Cadiz were also charged with drug-related offences. All three were lodged in the Grayson County Detention Center.