FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — The pandemic was first detected in Kentucky on March 6, 2020.
In the nine months since that day, there have been 200,632 positive test results for COVID-19.
On Sunday, Governor Andy Beshear reported 2,567 new cases in Kentucky.
There are currently 1,673 in-patients who are COVID-positive in Kentucky hospitals. 401of those patients are currently in the ICU, and 214 are on a ventilator.
“These are difficult numbers, having passed 200,000 cases and earlier this week passing 2,000 deaths. And now this is our highest week to date. However, in the data there is some potentially good news: While this is our highest week ever, the rate of growth does appear to be slowing. In other words, our increase from the last couple of weeks is less than what we have been seeing. Certainly, our hope is that we are slowing down this train and are moving at least to a new plateau,” said Governor Beshear. “We’ll have to watch in the coming week if we do have that Thanksgiving surge or if the majority of our families kept it small this year. So even on a tough day, possibly some good news. That should make all of us want to work that much harder knowing that we can impact this thing, that it is within our control, and that a vaccine – two vaccines – are just around the corner.”
The death toll is now 2,072 after 10 more Kentuckians have died after contracting COVID-19.
Those who have died include:
- 68-year-old woman from Barren County
- 64-year-old man from Fayette County
- 74-year-old man from Fayette County
- 69-year-old woman from Jefferson County
- 71-year-old woman from Jefferson County
- 65-year-old woman from Jessamine County
- 84-year-old man from Laurel County
- 81-year-old man from Lewis County
- 68-year-old man from Mason County
- 72-year-old man from Washington County.
“The imminent distribution of COVID-19 vaccine in the upcoming weeks should help put this pandemic in the past, but the coming weeks remain critical and come with sacrifices,” said Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Department for Public Health. “We must make good decisions every day and protect fellow Kentuckians by wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and staying home if we are sick. Doing so will save lives. It won’t be easy, but Team Kentucky is strong and supportive. We look out for each other, take care of those in need, and will get through this together.”
At the present moment, 113 of Kentucky's 120 counties are in the red zone. The only counties that are in the orange zone are: Breckinridge, Cumberland, Adair, Green, Nicholas, Menifee, and Estill.
