In his evening press conference last night, Governor Andy Beshear announced that there are 10,185 cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth. Of these cases, 155 were newly confirmed. It is believed that 3,275 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus, however there were three new deaths announced Tuesday, bringing the state’s total to 442. In the midst of the ongoing protests taking place in the state, Governor Beshear said that he hopes to get together with leaders in the African-American community, and also health providers, to have a conversation about improving healthcare. In addition, Governor Beshear announced that on Friday, the United States Supreme Court issued a decision confirming that the Governor’s actions to protect public health were consistent with the United State’s Constitution. The Governor’s Office of General Counsel is making the various federal courts aware of the decision, which should resolve all current cases challenging the Governor’s executive orders.
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The Hardin County Sheriff’s Office is the latest service in Hardin County to get financial assistance courtesy of the CARES Act. Over $45,000 was given to the Sheriff’s Office in order to update equipment in order to better respond to the pandemic. The CARES Act has also provided assistance to Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, as well as other local government, as the county continues to try and navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic.
After a weekend off from reporting, local health departments announced subtle increases in the number of COVID-19 cases in their area. The Lincoln Trail District Health Department confirmed nine new cases on Monday, bringing the department’s total to 208 positive cases with 175 recovered, 22 in home isolation, and six hospitalized. Elsewhere, the Grayson County Health Department announced two new cases from over the weekend, bringing the county’s total number to 135, with 109 patients recovered.
Monday marked the first reading of the City of Elizabethtown’s next budget. The City Council met at the Historic State Theater complex Monday evening, where Mayor Jeff Gregory gave his budget recommendation for the fiscal year 2021. Mayor Gregory acknowledged that the recent COVID-19 pandemic impacted budgetary decisions, resulting in a budget that is intended to be more conservative in spending. The budget, which comes in a $60.5 million, is down almost $10 million from this year’s operating budget of $70.1 million. The budget also underscores the impact the tourism industry has faced in the wake of COVID-19, with a lack of revenue coming from places such as the Sports Park, which directly brings in money through restaurant and room taxes. The budget will be read a second and final time in the coming weeks.
Voting for the 2020 primary election is now open for those wishing to vote in-person. In Hardin County, residents can drive to the Hardin County Government building and call the clerk’s office to request a ballot to vote in person. A secure lockbox will be in front of the government building for ballots to be deposited in. The primary, which was originally scheduled for May, was rescheduled to June in the wake of COVID-19.