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Beshear: White House COVID-19 Projections May Be 'Optimistic Scenario'

The White House via AP

Gov. Andy Beshear says he believes White House COVID-19 fatality projections may be underestimating the numbers, and the state is working on modeling he describes as "more pessimistic." 

The White House coronavirus task force released what many are describing as a grim estimate this week, projecting between 100,000 and 240,000 deaths nationally from COVID-19 in the coming months, even factoring in mitigation efforts like social distancing. When scaled down to reflect Kentucky's population, that estimate would indicate the state could see between 1,300 and 3,200 deaths.

"It's fair to say that we think the danger is greater than this, but I also believe that our ability impact it isn't shown in the [White House] graph," he told reporters Wednesday.

Gov. Beshear also said he anticipates the state will need more hospital beds than projected by a University of Washington study that shows the state meeting demand with its existing healthcare infrastructure.

"In terms of beds, I believe our projection will be that we will need more," Beshear said. "That's why we have worked to increase that 18,000 and change hospital beds to at least 8,000 more... that we believe we will be able to deploy."

That could include roughly 1,600 converted hotel rooms. Beshear reported the state is on track to increase the number of ventilators by 70, but the goal is to double the state's current stockpile of 1,352.

The state has yet to release its modeling on how the coronavirus could spread in the commonwealth.

Wednesday, Kentucky saw 93 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, 12 in Fayette County, and at least two deaths, bringing estimated fatalities in the state to 20. More than 50 healthcare workers are believed to have been infected.

Other news:

  • The state has sent out more than 40,000 acceptances to residents who had initially been denied unemployment claims. By the end of the week, applicants should be able to track the status of claims through their online dashboard. The unemployment hotline has taken between 80,000 and 200,000 calls in recent days.
  • The Education and Workforce Development Cabinet is warning of UI scammers. All legitimate communications will come from a ky.gov email address, and the cabinet will never ask for money over the phone.
  • State authorities are also cautioning residents against purchasing purported at-home COVID-19 tests or visiting popup testing sites offering tests for cash payments.
  • The National Guard is being called in to assist at Kentucky food banks.
  • Beshear calls on 3M to open up its patent for the sought-after N95 respirator during the crisis.
Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.
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