LOUISVILLE, Ky. — This is a weekly blog with daily updates on COVID-19 numbers and other related content in Kentucky for the week of November 2, 2020. Governor Andy Beshear is scheduled to give live updates Monday through Thursday at 4 p.m
Sunday, November 8
4:30 p.m.
Gov. Andy Beshear continues to ask Kentuckians, especially those who are in red zone counties, to follow recommendations to reduce the spread of COVID-19 as 1,177 cases were announced Sunday.
This is coming off three straight days were cases were above 2,000 and the highest positivity rate seen since early May.
Kentucky reported 12,421 cases in their 7-day total from Nov. 2 through Nov. 8, which marks the highest number of cases in a week by 500.
“This virus is spreading in communities in every corner of the commonwealth, and everyone, from our businesses and schools to individuals, must do their part to stop the spread and save lives,” Gov. Beshear said. “Without each of us doing our part, the rampant spread will continue to take more Kentuckians. Let’s come together as Team Kentucky to defeat this virus.”
The governor is urging everyone in the 80 red zones to continue following recommendations Nov. 9 through Nov. 15.
Four people have died from the virus, including three men from Hardin County.
The states positivity rate crept up to 7.24%
So far, Kentucky has confirmed 120,833 positive cases and 1,565 total deaths.
Due to limited reporting on Sunday, more information will be released on Monday.
Saturday, November 7
6 p.m.
With no signs of slowing down, Kentucky continues to see a rise in COVID-19 cases.
Gov. Andy Beshear announced 2,162 new positive cases – making it the highest number of cases ever reported on a Saturday since the pandemic began in March.
“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,” Beshear said.
Jefferson County is among five counties reporting the most positive cases.
The positivity rate has jumped up to 7.17%, the highest since May 5.
Another 17 people have also been lost to the virus, including a 75-year-old man, a 63-year-old man, a 59-year-old man and an 86-year-old woman from Jefferson County. A total of 1,561 people has died statewide since reporting began.
Kentucky continues to see a high escalation of people hospitalized from the virus. State officials report 1,129 people currently hospitalized, 289 currently in ICU and 149 on 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.”
The overall statewide total of COVID-19 cases reported is 119,661.
November 6
Governor Andy Beshear reported 2,302 new cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky. This brings the state's overall total to 117,505. It is the second straight day he reported a daily increase of more than 2,300.
In a release, the governor called the numbers "truly frightening" and that "this is the most dangerous COVID-19 has ever been" in the state.
The governor urged those living in one of Kentuckians 80 counties in the 'red zone' to follow the state's Red Zone Reduction Recommendations.
"We can only get back to normal if we address it head on and that is why I am urging all of you, especially those in red counties, to follow recommendations for reducing the spread in your community," Beshear said in a release.
Kentucky's test positivity rate has increased to 6.77%.
Ten more deaths were also reported, bringing the total number of Kentuckians lost to the virus to 1,544.
November 5
Governor Andy Beshear reported 2,318 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the state's total to 115,277. The governor said this new daily total is one of the highest ever reported in Kentucky, second to a day in which a significant backlog was included.
“This means we just need more out of everybody,” said Gov. Beshear. “It’s got to be a concerted community effort everywhere this virus is out of control.”
There are currently 1,102 Kentuckians hospitalized, 291 in the ICU and 129 on ventilators.
The state's test positivity rate has moved up to 6.5%.
Twenty more Kentuckians have died from the virus. So far, a total of 1,534 have died.
Beshear reported 80 Kentucky counties are now in the "red zone." He urged those living in these areas to follow the state's Red Zone Recommendations to reduce community spread of the virus.
To help Kentucky businesses financially impacted by the pandemic, the governor announced a 12-month waiver on alcoholic beverage renewal fees for restaurants and bars. The fee will be waived for those who have not yet paid in 2020. For those who have already paid, the fee will be waived in 2021.
November 4
Governor Andy Beshear reported 1,635 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the state's total to 113,009 cases overall.
Eleven more deaths were reported, bringing the total number of Kentuckians lost to the virus to 1,514.
The state's test positivity rate is 6.30%.
Gov. Beshear also announced the statewide mask mandate has been extended for another 30 days.
There are currently 1,066 hospitalized with the virus and 286 in the ICU. State Health Commissioner Steven Stack says hospitalizations have approximately doubled as cases rise and those requiring treatment in the ICU have more than doubled.
Stack also said Kentucky has an "alarmingly large number of red counties." To get community spread under control, he urged Kentuckians to wear masks, wash their hands, stay home when sick and to get tested if exposed to someone with the virus.
"If we don't get ahold of the virus, we're going to have to look at other options. And none of us want to do that," Beshear said.
November 3
Governor Andy Beshear reported 1,795 new cases of coronavirus in the Commonwealth. Beshear noted that this is the sixth highest daily total.
Overall, Kentucky has 111,379 cases. Beshear said that the positivity rate remains around the 6.25% mark.
Additionally, 11 more deaths were reported bringing the total number of Kentuckians lost to the virus to 1,503.
The governor remarked on the over 1,500 coronavirus-related deaths saying, "There are now 1,503 families that had to go through difficult... when not getting together the way we usually do when someone passes away."
Beshear reminded Kentuckians that while the 2020 Election is important to focus on, the COVID-19 pandemic is still very real and needs to be addressed daily to slow the spread.
November 2
Governor Andy Beshear reported 1,032 new cases of COVID-19, saying it is the highest number of new cases reported on a Monday. Overall, Kentucky has seen 109,670 cases.
The governor said the state's test positivity rate is the highest since June 1 at 6.25%.
Three more deaths were also reported Monday. That brings the total number of Kentuckians lost to the virus to 1,492.
Gov. Beshear urged counties in the “red zone” to follow the state’s 9 recommendations to help slow the spread of the virus. He also asked people in those areas to cancel public and private gatherings of any size.
Last week, the state set a record for weekly new cases at 11,774.
In a release on Sunday, Beshear said,“If you’re not alarmed by these record numbers of COVID-19 cases, you should be.”
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