LOUISVILLE, Ky. — This is a daily blog with daily updates on COVID-19 numbers and other related content in Kentucky for the week of December 6, 2020.
Sunday, December 13
Gov. Andy Beshear announced another 2,454 cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky as the first vaccine shipment arrived at Louisville’s UPS Worldport.
“We are seeing good trends and getting great news in our battle against COVID-19. We saw 1,235 fewer positive cases and our positivity rate declined 1.23% Sunday to Sunday this week, and now we are less than 24 hours from the true beginning of the end of this virus,” the Governor said. “Our community doctors and nurses, as well as long-term care residents and staff, are preparing to do their part first. We will all get a turn. When it is your turn, I strongly encourage you to get vaccinated so you can do your part to protect yourself, your family and our entire state.”
Jefferson County continues to see a high number of cases with 446 reported.
Fifteen more Kentuckians have lost their battle with the virus, including an 83-year-old man from Jefferson County and a 56-year-old man from Oldham County.
Other numbers:
- Positivity rate: 8.52%
- Total deaths: 2,207
- Currently hospitalized: 1,712
- Currently in ICU: 434
- Currently on ventilator: 224
Kentucky currently stands at 223,104 positive cases confirmed overall.
Saturday, December 12
Nearly 24 hours after the FDA approved the Pfizer vaccine, Gov. Andy Beshear is reminding Kentuckians to remain vigilant as the state continues to battle COVID-19.
“It is morally imperative that we get the vaccine to the most vulnerable Kentuckians first, and that is why we are starting with our long-term care facilities and front-line health care workers. In the meantime, please keep doing what you know is right: wear your mask, keep your distance from others and don’t have large gatherings. Together we can defeat this virus,” he said.
Kentucky is reporting an additional 3,558 cases of COVID-19 along with Jefferson County’s 588 included in the total.
Gov. Beshear reported 24 deaths, bringing the statewide total to 2,192.
The positivity rate in the state has decreased to 8.79% and Dr. Steven Stack said while it is encouraging, it’s the result of difficult choices made to reduce the spread of the virus.
Dr. Stack said hospitals around the Commonwealth are still under strain and the market for available health care workers are “extremely tight” as many states are experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases.
There are 1,711 people hospitalized, 423 in ICU and 199 currently on a ventilator.
“Every Kentuckian has choices to make – choices that matter tremendously – in the weeks ahead. Wear your mask, socially distance and if you are sick, seek medical care or stay at home until you are fully recovered. And if you are over 65 or have medical problems, stay healthy at home as much as you possibly can, since leaving your home now places you at high risk of exposure to COVID-19,” he said.
Kentucky has confirmed 220,660 positive cases since tracking began in March.
Friday, December 11
Governor Beshear confirmed 3,691 new coronavirus cases for Kentucky and 22 additional deaths.
Beshear said the state's positivity rate has dropped for the eight straight day and is now below 9% to 8.86%.
“These numbers are still high and we are still watching for any increases related to the Thanksgiving holiday, but we are making progress in our fight against this invisible enemy,” said Gov. Beshear. “I hope this gives everyone the courage and grit to keep going, to keep doing what we know is right, things like wearing a mask and staying socially distant, because we know they are working.”
As of December 11, Kentucky has 217,120 positive cases and 2,168 Kentuckians have died from virus-relate illnesses.
List of Red Zone counties.
Thursday, December 10
Governor Beshear announced 4,324 new cases, bringing the state's total to 213,450.
Twenty-eight more Kentuckians have died.
There are currently 1,756 COVID-19 patients in the hospital, 442 in ICU and 231 on ventilators.
The state's test positivity rate is 9.13%.
Starting Monday at midnight, restaurants and bars may return to 50% indoor capacity. Service must stop at 11 p.m. and close no later than midnight. Masks are required unless actively eating or drinking.
Wednesday, December 9
5 p.m.
Governor Beshear announced 3,481 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the state total to 209,136.
Sixteen more deaths were also reported, bringing the total number of Kentuckians lost to the virus to 2,118.
The state's test positivity rate is 9.23%. The governor said today marks six consecutive days of a declining positivity rate.
“We continue to see some promising trends in our COVID-19 numbers. They are still far too high, but given that we were experiencing exponential growth before we took those difficult steps, this is evidence that we may not just be slowing down that growth, we may even be plateauing our cases,” Gov. Beshear said in a release. “You have to slow down the train before you stop it, and you have to stop it before you turn it around.”
There are currently 1,792 COVID-19 patients hospitalized, 412 in the ICU and 211 on ventilators.
Residents in COVID-19 'red zone' counties are asked to continue following the Red Zone Reduction Recommendations to prevent community spread.
The governor extended and order which prohibits price gouging and will remain in effect through the state of emergency.
More then 4,000 applications have been filed for the Team Kentucky Food and Beverage Relief Fund which is aimed at helping bars and restaurants facing financial challenges brought on by COVID-19 restrictions. So far, $36.4 million has been requested and $17.5 million has been approved for distribution.
Tuesday, December 8
4:52 p.m.
Governor Beshear reported 3,114 new cases of COVID-19. That brings the state total to 205,668.
Beshear said the case growth appears to be slowing, with 1,000 fewer cases reported today than last Tuesday.
The governor also reported 20 new deaths, five of which he said were under the age of 60.
Kentucky's test positivity rate is 9.56%. The governor also said the state has reached 3 million COVID-19 tests.
There are currently 1,760 Kentuckians hospitalized, 416 in ICU and 207 on ventilators.
11:10 a.m.
As Governor Andy Beshear's first year in office comes to a close, he said he believes the state has taken smart steps to control COVID-19 and save lives.
“Fighting COVID-19 has not been easy, but unlike many states, Kentucky was able to stop surges of COVID-19, which saved tens of thousands of lives compared with early projections and helped to protect health care systems and front-line workers from being completely overwhelmed,” Gov. Beshear said in a release. “All the sacrifices we have made on Team Kentucky have left our people stronger and our state better prepared to emerge from this dark period ready to quickly embrace new opportunities.”
11 a.m.
As Louisville and the rest of the state prepare to be vaccinated in the coming months, health officials want to make sure you are aware of the side effects when you get the shot.
While frontline workers and people in long-term care facilities will be the first to get vaccinated, health officials want everyone to be informed about side effects from the vaccine.
They say the common side effects are like when you get the flu shot, which may include a reaction on your skin around where you are injected, headaches, muscle pains or a fever. These can happen after the first or second shot of the vaccine dose, but officials say these are mild and should not keep you from getting the shots.
Monday, December 7
4:45 p.m.
Gov. Andy Beshear said he would not extend the closure of in-person dining for bars and restaurants in Kentucky beyond Dec. 14.
He stresses that patrons need to wear masks when not eating and businesses to enforce it. The governor wants people to stay at 50% capacity.
More than 3,700 businesses have applied for the restaurant fund. Beshear said they have started distributing some of the $35 million. He said if more than 4,000 businesses apply, state officials will increase the fund.
4:30 p.m.
After a record-high week, Kentucky reported 1,972 more coronavirus cases on Monday.
Gov. Andy Beshear states during his media briefing that it’s been the lowest number of cases seen on the previous two Mondays.
He also confirmed 343 new cases in Jefferson County, which remains in a red zone.
Ten more deaths were also reported, bringing the overall total of those lost to the virus to 2,082.
Beshear highlighted Rufus Mason, a 72-year-old custodian who passed away from COVID. Mason worked for Westport Middle in Louisville and contracted the virus in mid-November while working at the school. He passed away on Nov. 30, according to the governor.
Beshear said Mason had worked for the Ford Motor Company for 40 years before joining the custodial staff at the school.
Kentucky’s positivity rate dropped a bit to 9.6% with 1,700 hospitalized, 410 in intensive care and 210 on ventilators.
The state has confirmed 202,592 since tracking the virus began in March.
WATCH: Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, shared two examples of how COVID-19 has spread in schools and youth sports.
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This week marks two weeks since the Thanksgiving holiday and Kentucky, and many other states waiting to see if cases will hit new highs. Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said this weekend the coronavirus is still out of control in the city. Fischer said we should soon begin to see the virus’ impact from the Thanksgiving holiday.
Jefferson County remains one of 113 counties in the red zone.
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As of Sunday, December 6, Kentucky has had 200,632 positive cases of coronavirus since the pandemic began, according to data from the state public health office. The state says 2,072 Kentuckians have died from virus-related illnesses.
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