On Saturday November 9, Governor Andy Beshear's office reported the highest positivity rate since May 5.
The rate is now at 7.17%.
The governor also reported 2,162 new positive COVID-19 cases, the most ever on a Saturday.
17 more Kentuckians died after contracting COVID-19, bringing the death toll to 1,561.
“Since March 6, when COVID-19 was first reported in Kentucky, we have not had this many new cases reported on a Saturday, and sadly we are also reporting 17 more deaths,” Gov. Beshear said. “As Kentuckians, we need to come together right now. We need everyone wearing a mask, following the red zone recommendations and other guidance, like limiting travel and social distancing, so that we can stop this alarming escalation of cases.”
There are currently 1,129 Kentuckians hospitalized due to COVID-19 complications. 289 of those patients are in the ICU and 149 are currently using a ventilator.
“We have been witnessing an escalation in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, patients in the ICU, and on ventilators statewide over the past few weeks and it is an alarming and deeply concerning situation,” said Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health. “Now is a critical time for Kentuckians to work together to defeat this virus by following the recommendations meant to slow and limit new cases – socially distance, wear masks, and practice good hand hygiene. We are all in this together, and we can only stop further spread of the virus by working together.”
