FRANKFORT, Ky. — This is a weekly blog with daily updates on COVID-19 numbers and other related content in Kentucky for the week of Dec. 28, 2020. Governor Andy Beshear is scheduled to give live updates Monday and Tuesday at 4 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 3
The state’s COVID-19 positivity rate has jumped to 11.1%, according to Governor Andy Beshear.
As explained during Saturday’s reporting from the holiday weekend, officials said the elevated positivity rate is likely due to some labs and public testing sites being closed, which they say increases the percentage of tests given in medical settings where patients experience symptoms and suspect they have the virus.
Beshear said he plans on explaining the increase during a Monday press conference.
Kentucky reported 2,860 new cases on Sunday.
Twenty-five more deaths associated with the virus were confirmed, bringing the statewide total 2,723.
There are 1,677 people currently hospitalized, 421 in ICU and 196 currently on a ventilator.
According Kentucky health officials, about 3,488,130 people have been tested.
Since March 2020, the state has confirmed 276,826 positive cases of the virus.
Saturday, Jan. 2
Gov. Andy Beshear has provided the first update of COVID-19 in Kentucky for the New Year and the state is showing an elevated positivity rate of more than 10%.
He said in a Saturday news release that the elevated rate is likely due to some labs and public testing sites being closed over the holiday weekend. Beshear said it increases the percentage of tests conducted in medical settings where patients are experiencing symptoms and suspect they have the virus.
“Every day we are reminded how fragile the progress we have made in defeating this virus really is,” Beshear said. “We will wait and watch closely over the coming days and weeks to gauge the impact the holidays may have had on our recent success in slowing new case growth. With more vaccines arriving in 2021, we have a new sense of hope but right now we must all continue to do our part to stop this virus, including wearing a mask and avoiding large in-person gatherings.”
Here's a break down of cases from the period of Dec. 31 through Jan. 2.
Case Information – Jan. 2
New cases: 1,470
New deaths: 22
Positivity rate: 10.79%
Total deaths: 2,698
Currently hospitalized: 1,635
Currently in ICU: 428
Currently on ventilator: 211
Case Information – Jan. 1
New cases: 3,124
New deaths: 14
Positivity rate: 10.32%
Total deaths: 2,676
Currently hospitalized: 1,671
Currently in ICU: 423
Currently on ventilator: 216
Case Information – Dec. 31 (this was also the third highest day of reported cases)
New cases: 4,145
New deaths: 39
Positivity rate: 9.89%
Total deaths: 2,662
Currently hospitalized: 1,627
Currently in ICU: 432
Currently on ventilator: 224
Overall, Kentucky has reported 273,971 positive cases and 2,698 deaths associated with the virus.
Wednesday, Dec. 30
5:25 p.m.
Kentucky confirmed 3,784 new COVID-19 cases and 29 more deaths. The new totals bring the state to 265,262 cases overall and 2,623 deaths.
There are currently 1,673 Kentuckians hospitalized with the virus, 433 in ICU and 234 on ventilators.
The state's test positivity rate is up to 9.09%. According to Governor Andy Beshear, today's elevated positivity rate may be due to labs and testing sites closing for the holiday and an increase in the percentage of tests coming from medical settings where patients may suspect they have the virus.
“Our report for today is higher than it has been for a number of days. The progress we have made is fragile. We have to keep working and making good decisions every day,” Beshear said in a release. “We need everybody to be safe this New Year’s Eve. Do not gather in large groups.”
Tuesday, Dec. 29
4:05 p.m.
Governor Beshear announced three orders related to the pandemic have been extended.
- The statewide mask mandate will be renewed for another 30 days starting January 2.
- The state's eviction moratorium has been extended to match the federal eviction moratorium which was extended to January 31.
- The executive order allowing pharmacists to dispense emergency refills for up to 30 days has been extended.
The governor announced 2,990 new cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky, bringing the state total to 261,492. Thirty-one more deaths were also reported, bringing that total to 2,594.
Beshear urged Kentuckians to continue following COVID-19 guidelines and keep New Year celebrations small.
11:00 a.m.
While Louisville remains in the red, local health officials said case counts were down for third consecutive week. Still, officials warned numbers could be a little lower due to holiday delays.
Dr. SarahBeth Hartlage with Louisville Metro Health also detailed the city's current distribution plans for COVID-19 vaccines.
While hospitals, pharmacy chains and the health department are currently working on Phase 1A, Hartlage said they expect to give the first vaccine to teachers as part of Phase 1B by the end of January.
Hartlage said officials have been in contact with leaders from JCPS, the Archdiocese of Louisville and independent private schools about plans. They expect Broadbent Arena to be the primary site for vaccinations.
Monday, Dec. 28
Gov. Andy Beshear said Kentucky appears to have stopped the exponential growth of COVID-19 from the third wave of the pandemic, reporting the fourth consecutive week with declining cases.
The governor announced 1,455 new cases and eight deaths Monday. Four of those deaths were people in Jefferson County. The state's positivity rate sits at 7.97%. Beshear said the numbers might be lower than normal due to an extended weekend and possible outages from the Nashville explosion.
As Kentucky enters the new year, Beshear said he believes the restrictions implemented in late November have positively impacted numbers.
"Certain to say the steps we took, that temporary closure of indoor dining and bars...it had and made a real difference, even the move we had to make with regards to schools," Beshear said.
Beshear said he is concerned the state may see increases following Christmas and New Year's Eve, encouraging caution as the state prepares for its second straight holiday weekend.
Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack said Kentucky is in a "sea of red," noting Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee's higher positivity rates. Stack said people must continue to follow CDC guidelines through New Year's Eve to ensure the state continues to see a decline.
Vaccination Plans
Stack also laid out plans for the next phase of deploying the COVID-19 vaccine in Kentucky.
Walgreens and CVS Health, in a deal with the federal government, received more than 5,000 vaccines last week. Eric Friedlander with the Cabinet of Health and Family Services said the two have helped over 30 long-term health care facilities in the state.
Stack said the state is emphasizing deaths in its vaccination plans, noting that 75% of COVID-19 deaths in Kentucky are people 70 and older.
Kentucky's Phase 1A plan is focused of long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities and personnel working in outpatient, inpatient, dental or home-based health care.
Phase 1B is focused any person 70 or older, first responders and K-12 school personnel.
"Never before in human history have we had two brand new vaccines...deploying these new vaccines is incredibly complicated," Stack said. "It is inevitable that there will be frustrations...your patience is needed."
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As of Sunday, Kentucky had reported has confirmed 257,063 positive COVID-19 cases and 2,555 deaths since the pandemic started.
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