President Trump approves Kentucky coronavirus disaster declaration

Mar. 28--President Donald Trump on Saturday approved Kentucky's request for a disaster declaration because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The White House said in a news release Saturday afternoon that the action makes federal funds available to the state, as well as to "eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency protective measures."

"Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the Commonwealth and warranted by the results of further assessments," the release stated.

Gracia B. Szczech has been named the federal coordinating officer for recovery operations in areas affected by the pandemic, according to the news release.

Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency in Kentucky on March 6, the day he announced Kentucky's first confirmed case of coronavirus.

On Thursday, Kentucky's congressional delegation sent a letter to the president, asking him to approve Kentucky's request, according to Sen. Mitch McConnell's office.

"The additional federal resources this declaration makes available will help communities across Kentucky continue responding to the coronavirus. I'm grateful President Trump quickly answered our bipartisan call to deliver this vital assistance," McConnell said in a news release Saturday.

He said the federal coronavirus stimulus package approved Friday included $45 billion in FEMA relief funding.

Trump has approved disaster declarations in a number of states, including New York, California, New Jersey, Michigan, Florida, Massachusetts and Illinois, as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

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