FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear called on nursing home operators Tuesday to severely restrict visitors to combat the spread of the new coronavirus.

Those restrictions will take effect at state-run facilities, Beshear said. For privately run facilities, the state will issue "very strong guidance" for operators to follow, he said.

"It is critically important that it is followed," he said. "When we look around the country, and the fatalities that we are seeing are in large measure those that are vulnerable."

Six cases of the virus have been diagnosed in Kentucky. Patients range in age from 27 to 69, Beshear said.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.

Beshear acknowledged that visitation restrictions will cause hardships

"But right now, we are making sure that we are protecting the life, health and safety of individuals in that facility," he said.

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People can visit kycovid19.ky.gov and www.cdc.gov/coronavirus for up-to-date information.

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The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

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Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.