The number of new cases of the coronavirus in Kentucky reported on Sunday was a fraction of the numbers seen this past week, but the number of deaths has now reached 700.

Gov. Beshear announced there have now been at least 27,079 coronavirus cases in the state since the first was reported in early March, with 316 of them newly on reported Sunday. Eight of those new cases were from children ages 5 and younger.

“Kentucky is in that spot now where if we don’t act, we will look a lot like states in the South that are facing devastating consequences,” said Gov. Beshear. “Thankfully, these numbers are lower than what we’ve seen recently, but we know less testing comes in on Sundays.”

Despite not seeing as many test results, it was last Sunday that Kentucky had its highest number of cases, at 979.

There were also four new deaths Sunday, raising the total to 700 Kentuckians lost to the virus. The latest deaths include a 70-year-old woman from Harlan County; a 37-year-old man and an 87-year-old woman from Jefferson County; and a 76-year-old man from Ohio County.

“Last week was a difficult one in the United States and in Kentucky,” said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack.

“Nationally, cases surpassed 4.1 million, and in our Commonwealth, over 27,000 cases have now been reported,” Stack stated. “It seems like an eternity since we reported Kentucky’s first positive COVID-19 patient on March 6. Every day is important, and the upcoming week will determine which additional measures will be needed to blunt the increase of COVID-19 in our commonwealth. Please avoid crowds, socially distance at least six feet and wear a face covering when in public. Together, Team Kentucky can beat COVID-19.”

Dr. Deborah Birx, Response Coordinator for the White House Coronavirus Task Force, was in Frankfort on Sunday, and spoke with reporters after meeting with community, business and health leaders. You can read about her remarks in a separate Kentucky Today story,

Beshear noted, “I want you to know that the White House and Kentucky state government are in complete agreement that the escalation of cases is going to require us to take some new steps. We’re going to announce those steps on Monday, and we’ll talk through the what and the why behind each one.”

On Friday, Beshear said without a significant reduction in COVID-19 cases over the weekend, he would consider closing bars and reducing the inside capacity of restaurants. He also hinted that he could recommend that schools postpone resuming classes, or that they hold them virtually, if the situation does not change.

The Governor’s next press briefing will be Monday at 4 p. m., EDT. Other key updates, actions and information from his administration on their response to the coronavirus pandemic, can be found at kycovid19.ky.gov.