FRANKFORT, Ky. — This is a liveblog with real-time updates on COVID-19 in Kentucky. Governor Andy Beshear is expected to give updates every day at 4 p.m.
Sunday, August 23
4:15 p.m.
Kentucky confirms 467 new cases of coronavirus, according to Governor Andy Beshear’s office.
In a news release, the governor said the state remains in a plateau with the number of new cases but have yet to see the numbers steadily decline.
Seventy-nine of the new cases reported were ages 18 and under with 15 of those cases found in children 5-years-old and under. The youngest case reported was a 3-day-old infant.
Nine more people have been lost to the virus, bringing the statewide total to 881 which includes a 77-year-old Oldham County woman.
Kentucky has confirmed 43,529 cases since tracking began in March.
More data will be available Monday, the governor’s office said.
Saturday, August 22
6:00 p.m.
Gov. Andy Beshear’s administration has confirmed 814 new cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky, bringing that overall total number of cases to 43,066.
Seventeen of those new cases were reported in children ages 5 and under.
With school back in session in some districts in Kentucky, officials said 93 children between ages of 6 to 18-years-old have tested positive or identified as probable for having tested positive for the virus.
“A hundred and ten kids 18 and under on today’s report – we continue to see far too many,” Beshear said. “And in many of the places hardest hit for kids, they’re looking at opening schools this Monday or very soon.”
Officials also reported 8 new deaths, raising that total to 872. The deaths also include an 88-year-old woman from Jefferson County and a 78-year-old woman from Oldham County.
Numbers
People tested: 819,265
Positivity rate: 4.84%
Recovered from the virus: 9,502
Friday, August 21
5 p.m.
Kentucky confirmed 785 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the state's overall total to 42,265 cases. Eight more deaths were reported, bringing the number of Kentuckians who have lost their lives to the virus to 864.
Of the newly reported cases, 97 are under 18 years old.
As of today, 803,198 tests have been performed in the state, and the test positivity rate remains 5.18%.
“It’s going to be a hard month. Let’s make sure we don’t do things that are going to spread this virus because ultimately, they do take a real human toll,” said Gov. Beshear.
Citing the COVID-19 crisis, Churchill Downs announced the 146th Kentucky Derby will run without spectators on September 5. President of the racetrack, Kevin Flanery, said with the increase in positive cases they could not find a safe way to told the event with fans while keeping everyone safe.
"I applaud Churchill Downs for continuing to monitor the virus and for making the right and responsible decision," Beshear said. "I am asking all Kentuckians to take action to stop the spread of the virus so we can get back to the many traditions we enjoy, like the Kentucky Derby."
Thursday, August 20
4 p.m.
Kentucky confirmed 726 new cases of COVID-19 and 14 more deaths. The state has confirmed 41,626 cases overall.
Of the new cases, 101 are 18 and younger.
The test positivity rate is 5.18% and the governor said a lot of Kentuckians have been showing up to get tested. He said that is good for the data and keeping track of those who may be asymptomatic.
Governor Beshear said there has been a decline in vaccinations since the start of the pandemic. He said with flu season coming it is vitally important to get a flu shot and stay up to date on immunizations.
Mayor Greg Fischer confirmed 239 new COVID-19 cases and a state total of 10,536 confirmed.
The state has confirmed 1 new death with a total of 270 deaths. Mayor Fischer said in a news briefing that the death was an 82-year-old woman.
Wednesday, August 19
4 p.m.
Kentucky confirmed 655 new cases of COVID-19 and 12 more deaths. The state has confirmed a total of 40,926 cases and 842 deaths related to the virus.
Of the new cases, 91 of those are 18 and younger.
The state's test positivity rate is 5.41% and 785,138 tests have been performed.
Governor Beshear announced Kentucky will be applying for the FEMA Lost Wages Assistance Program. Beshear said he believes Kentucky will be the first state to apply for the full $400 since President Trump’s executive order.
Tuesday, August 18
4:45 p.m.
Rocky Adkins, the senior advisor to Gov. Beshear shared an emotional story of his 84-year-old father testing positive for the coronavirus in early August.
Adkins said his father was still hospitalized during Beshear’s media briefing on Tuesday.
He described the diagnosis saying his father lived in a remote place and was very careful. Adkins said his son had to help his father because he was weak and couldn’t walk, driving him to the hospital.
His son ended up testing positive.
Adkins said he hasn’t been able to visit his father.
Gov. Beshear said he related to Adkins’ story because he nor his kids have been able to physically hug his parents since March.
4:30 p.m.
Kentucky has pushed over 40,000 cases of coronavirus as Gov. Andy Beshear announced 627 new positive cases on Tuesday.
Seventy-six of those cases were found in the 18 and younger demographic.
The governor stated 12 more people have been lost to the virus.
Kentucky currently has a 5.8% positivity rate.
The governor also announced a White House report listing a number of Kentucky counties in the “red zone.” Those zones have a 10% positivity rate or higher. He also noted many of these counties have started in-person classes.
- Jefferson, Warren, Hardin, Scott, Bullitt, Barren, Shelby, Calloway, Bell, Knox, Henry, Spencer, Logan, Fulton, Lewis, Clay, Hickman, Powell, Wayne and Green
The “yellow zone” are counties with 5 to 10% positivity rate or higher.
- Fayette, Kenton, Madison, Boone, Oldham, Pulaski, Daviess, Laurel, Graves, Campbell, Jessamine, Franklin, Christian, Harlan, Henderson, Perry, Nelson, Casey, Taylor, Hopkins, Woodford, Greenup, Johnson, Russell, Washington, Grayson, Marshall, Grant, Muhlenberg, Hart, Simpson, Knott, Breckenridge, Rowan, Magoffin, Rockcastle, Lincoln, Montgomery, Carroll, Larue, Edmonson, Clinton and Butler
Dr. Steven Stack said the state is about to launch a pilot program to test sewage in two correctional facilities. The move would allow them to see if COVID-19 is present in wastewater which could help them in testing at the facility.
Kentucky currently has 40,299 cases and 830 deaths since virus numbers have been tracked since March.
Monday, August 17
4:30 p.m.
Gov. Andy Beshear has confirmed 376 new positive cases of coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 39,691.
The governor says 54 of newly confirmed cases have been found in those 18 and younger.
He says 124 of those cases were in Jefferson County.
Five new deaths were reported pushing that number up to 813 lost to the virus.
Kentucky’s current positivity rate is 5.8%
The state has tested 760,022 with 9,158 that have recovered from the virus.
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