LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he and his family are quarantining after they were potentially exposed to COVID-19.
In a video statement Sunday alongside his son Will, the governor said a member of his security detail who drove the first family on Saturday afternoon received notice that they had tested positive for the virus later that night. Beshear said he and his family, along with the state trooper who was with them, were all wearing masks during the potential exposure and did not come into contact with anyone else afterwards.
“So thankfully there’s no additional exposure that’s out there, at least related to us,” Beshear said.
In the video, Beshear said he and his family "feel great" and have not shown coronavirus symptoms. The first family will quarantine together in a part of the governor’s mansion until cleared by the Kentucky Department of Public Health (DPH), according to a statement from Beshear's office.
"We want to make sure we're setting the example and that we're also keeping other people around us safe," Beshear said in the video.
Beshear’s family will be tested regularly for the virus, his office said. The governor and his wife, first lady Britainy Beshear, were last tested on Thursday, according to Beshear spokeswoman Crystal Staley.
The DPH and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend quarantine if an individual is within 6 feet of a person who has contracted COVID-19 for more than 15 minutes.
In the video, Beshear said he and Will were in an "empty part" of the governor's mansion. Staley said the first family will keep away from staff at the mansion until they are cleared.
The governor's COVID-19 briefings will continue through his quarantine. Beshear said he will provide virtual updates from the governor's mansion for at least the next week.
“I’m still going to be doing my job, each and every day,” he said.
Later Sunday afternoon, Beshear's office announced that Kentucky had surpassed its weekly record for new COVID-19 cases for a third straight week. Over the past seven days, health officials have reported 7,675 new infections in the commonwealth, up 1,549 cases from last week's record.
Related Stories:
The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2020 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
