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Beshear thanks state for taking virus seriously during holiday weekend as 2,803 new COVID-19 cases, 11 deaths announced

Governor Andy Beshear thanked Kentuckians for doing the right thing and altering plans during the Thanksgiving holiday.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — This is a daily blog with daily updates on COVID-19 numbers and other related content in Kentucky for the week of November 23, 2020. 

Sunday, November 28

7:00 p.m.

The holiday weekend is drawing to a close and state officials are announcing another 2,803 positive COVID-19 cases. 

 Gov. Andy Beshear released the numbers Sunday evening as he thanked Kentuckians for doing the right thing during the Thanksgiving holiday.

“The thing about this crisis is, all of us might step up in a different way, but each of our contributions matter,” said Gov. Beshear. “To every family who changed their traditions this year to keep others safe – thank you. To our only line health care workers and first responders who have put your own safety at risk during this pandemic – thank you. To our tireless neighbors battling food insecurity and making sure Kentuckians can put dinner on the table, on Thanksgiving and every day – thank you. And to the retail, grocery, logistics and food and beverage professionals who did the right thing to keep yourselves and customers safe this week – thank you. To these heroes, and so many others, you are all the best of Team Kentucky.”

Eleven new deaths were reported, bringing the statewide total to 1,896.

The positivity rate remains at 9.24%.

There is limited data reported on Sundays, however, here’s what other numbers officials are reporting:

  • Currently hospitalized: 1,709
  • Currently in ICU: 407
  • Currently on ventilator: 218

The red zone counties for this week can be found here.

Saturday, November 27

Gov. Andy Beshear's office is reporting 2,437 new coronavirus cases, 14 more deaths. According to health officials, 1,885 Kentuckians have now died from virus-related illnesses.

Other data, according to the Kentucky COVID dashboard as of Saturday:

  • 1,722 patients currently hospitalized 
  • 408 currently in ICU
  • 220 are currently on a ventilator

“Though we have to do it differently, please support our small businesses this weekend and holiday season,” said Gov. Beshear. “Shopping small supports some of our local businesses that have suffered the most economically as we’ve battled COVID-19. Let’s show them we have their backs.”

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer reported 3,592 new cases of COVID-19 in Jefferson County over the last week. Fischer hosted a Facebook Town Hall Saturday morning with Dr. John Klein to update the public on the city's latest case numbers.

According to the city's dashboard, Louisville has an incident rate of 67 out of every 100,000. An area is considered a "red zone" if it has an incident rate above 25. Mayor Fischer said the incident rate would have to drop below 10 out of everywhere 100,000 for students to return to in-person learning.

"This is a picture of uncontrolled spread of the virus," Dr. Klein said.

Dr. Klein said that people who attended large gatherings or traveled for the Thanksgiving holiday should limit their exposure to others and get tested for COVID-19.

Dr. Klein also gave an update on the clinical vaccine trial he took part in. He said he had no side effects from the vaccine and his antibodies were "very good."

"I feel confident that, for me, it was the right decision," he said.

A plan for a vaccine rollout in Louisville has not been established. Dr. Klein said once a vaccine is approved, it will likely be given to front line workers in healthcare first, then to residents and employees at long-term care facilities. Distribution of the vaccine after that point has not yet been determined.

Watch the full Town Hall here.

Friday, November 26

Governor Beshear's office is reporting 1,747 new COVID cases, 4 new deaths. So far 1,871 Kentuckians have died from COVID-related illnesses.

“These new case reports are truly alarming. Please be careful when you’re shopping and consider safer options, like purchasing gifts online for delivery or curbside pick-up,” said Gov. Beshear. “Wash your hands, stay six feet apart from other shoppers and wear a mask at all times. Now is the time we need everyone to buckle down, stay strong and stop this surge in cases,” Beshear said in the news release.

Other data, according to the Kentucky COVID dashboard as of Friday:

  • Positivity rate: 8.85%
  • Patients currently hospitalized: 1,714
  • Patients currently in ICU: 390
  • Patients currently on ventilator: 216

Thursday, November 25

Kentucky recorded 3,870 new cases, 32 new deaths. Beshear said in a news release that Thursday's were the highest single-day new cases of COVID. The total number of deaths for Kentucky as of Thursday is 1,867.

Other data, according to the Kentucky COVID dashboard

  • Positivity rate: 8.94%
  • Patients currently hospitalized: 1,747
  • Patients currently in ICU: 388
  • Patients currently on ventilator: 206

According to Beshear's office, the counties with the most positive cases Thursday were: Jefferson, Fayette, Kenton and Boone. Each of these counties reported more than 100 cases; Jefferson reported 755.

Wednesday, November 25

State health officials reported 3,408 new COVID-19 cases and 26 deaths Wednesday, meaning more than 1,800 Kentuckians have died since the pandemic started.

Kentucky's positivity rate currently sits at 8.88%, a jump from Tuesday's rate. There are currently 1,734 people hospitalized with COVID-19, 409 of those patients in the ICU.

Jefferson County continued to lead the state in high case counts, reporting more than 100 new cases alongside Hardin, Warren, Fayette, Boone, Kenton and Madison County.

Gov. Beshear continued to encourage people to celebrate Thanksgiving with a small group of eight or less.

"Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, and usually we get together with about 15 people," Beshear said. "This year, we just can’t do that. I’m really disappointed, like all of us are, but protecting my parents, my kids, our neighbors and all of our health care workers has to come first. I’m grateful for all Kentuckians who are sacrificing this year to keep each other safe."

Tuesday, November 24

Governor Andy Beshear confirmed 2,690 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the state's overall total to 162,838.

Seventeen more deaths were reported, with a total of 1,809 Kentuckians who have died from the virus.

The state's test positivity rate is now 8.82%.

"All that we ask is that people follow these rules and restrictions," Beshear said during the briefing. "We are in a tough time. But we have a vaccine that is so close and I want to make sure as many Kentuckians can get there as possible."

Beshear urged Kentuckians to be safe this Thanksgiving and follow the recommendations from state health officials

  • Avoid in-person gatherings with people who do not live in your household.
  • Always wear a face covering or mask when you are not eating or drinking.
  • Maintain a social distance of at least 6 feet.
  • Avoid large gatherings, especially those held indoors.
  • Do not host or attend crowded parades.
  • Avoid shopping in crowded stores before, on or after Thanksgiving.

“The number of people we lose is compounded when community spread is as high as it is and when it overwhelms the health care capacity of a state or region. This is happening in real time across the country,” said Gov. Beshear. “It’s starting to happen here in Kentucky. If we do not stop the exponential growth of cases, we will exceed our health care capacity. We will experience more loss and more death than we have to.”

RELATED: Extended unemployment insurance payments for more than 4,000 Kentuckians to end Nov. 28

Monday, November 23

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced another 2,135 cases of COVID making the number the highest ever reported on a Monday.

Jefferson County still reports a high number of cases with 435, followed by Fayette County with 260.

"I'm tired of watching our people suffer, knowing that every day we have a new record."

Statewide, the positivity rate went from 9.1% down to 8.97%.

There were five more deaths associated with the virus, bringing that overall total to 1,792

Numbers

1,573 hospitalized

391 in ICU

203 on ventilators

So far, Kentucky has confirmed 160,232 cases.

________

After a record week of COVID-19 cases, Governor Andy Beshear continues to urge Kentuckians to take precautions as the Thanksgiving holiday. He confirmed another 2,194 positive cases on Sunday. 

RELATED: Downtown Louisville business asks Gov. Beshear for a shutdown of bars, restaurants as COVID-19 cases spike

RELATED: Hospitals in Lexington to update visitor restrictions in response to COVID-19 community spread

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