Gov. Beshear Issues Guidance For Red Level Counties; NKU Moves To Remote Operations

Beshear announced Thursday that 68 counties have entered the red zone, including Campbell and Kenton counties.

(Frankfort, Ky.) – Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has issued guidance for Kentuckians in red zone counties.

On Thursday, the governor announced that 68 counties have entered the red zone, including Campbell and Kenton counties in northern Kentucky.

“This is a type of outbreak where we can’t deny our way out of it, we can’t rationalize our way out of it, we can’t try to find excuses for not following the guidance,” said Gov. Beshear.

The Governor noted this is the highest number of new cases ever reported on a Thursday, and the third-highest number of new cases ever reported in a single day.

In Kentucky, there are 969 people currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 234 of which are in ICU.

Beshear says schools, businesses, community leaders and Kentuckians in red zone counties should follow these recommendations to help limit the spread of COVID-19.  

• Employers should allow employees to work from home when possible
• Government offices that do not provide critical services need to operate virtually
• Reduce in-person shopping; order online or pickup curbside as much as possible
• Order take-out; avoid dining in restaurants or bars
• Prioritize businesses that follow and enforce the mask mandate and other guidelines
• Reschedule, postpone or cancel public events
• Do not host or attend gatherings of any size
• Avoid non-essential activities outside your home
• Reduce overall activity and contacts, and follow existing guidance, including the 10 Steps to Defeat COVID-19

NKU is following the recommendations by scaling back in-person classes.

In a letter to students and staff Friday, Provost Sue Ott Rowlands said NKU will move to remote operations and learning, with exceptions for the classes that absolutely must be held in person beginning Monday, November 2.

The full letter can be read here.