LOUISVILLE, Ky. — This is a weekly blog with daily updates on COVID-19 numbers, COVID vaccine and other related content across Kentucky for the week of April 19, 2021.
Sunday, April 25
Gov. Andy Beshear’s office says the state has experienced a 13.99% decrease in weekly COVID-19 cases compared to the previous week as 325 new cases were announced.
Officials also reported 4 new deaths and 9 from an audit – the new overall death total is at 6,449.
The positivity rate sits at 3.18%
When it comes to those hospitalized about 318 people are in facilities with 99 in intensive care and 45 currently on a ventilator.
The state says 1,723,624 Kentuckians have received at least their first vaccination.
Saturday, April 24
Kentucky has reported an additional 489 cases of COVID-19, according to Gov. Andy Beshear’s office.
In Saturday’s report, officials also announced 22 more coronavirus-related deaths. That brings the official total of Kentuckians lost to 6,436.
The positivity rate currently sits at 3.21%.
There are 404 hospitalized, 102 in intensive care and 45 on a ventilator.
The governor’s office also said there are 1,715,970 Kentuckians that have been vaccinated.
Friday, April 23
Kentucky health officials report 607 new positive COVID-19 cases and 5 deaths. The state's positivity rate is at 3.26%.
Gov. Andy Beshear also announced 1,708,318 Kentuckians have received at least their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Thursday, April 22
Governor Andy Beshear announced 628 new cases of COVID-19 and eight more deaths.
The state's test positivity rate is 3.36%.
So far, 1,696,530 Kentuckians have received at least the first dose of the OVID-19 vaccine. Beshear encouraged those who have not been vaccinated to sign up for an appointment at one of the many vaccine clinic across the Commonwealth.
According to Health Commissioner Dr Steven Stack, a decision is expected soon on resuming distributions of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine in the U.S. He said there is a 1 in a million chance of experiencing complications from the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
In the case of a Kentucky nursing home that experienced an outbreak of a rare COVID-19 variant, R1, earlier this year, Stack said the lesson is that vaccines work. Of the residents who were vaccinated, the vaccine was 66% effective in preventing infection, 87% effective in preventing infection with any symptoms, and 94% effective in preventing hospitalizations. Residents who were not vaccinated had a three fold risk for infection and unvaccinated health care professionals had a four fold risk for infection.
The governor's general counsel, Amy Cubbage, announced Kentucky unemployment will reinstate the work search requirement starting May 9, 2021. More information can be found at kcc.ky.gov.
Wednesday, April 21
Governor Andy Beshear announced 785 new cases of COVID-19 and seven new deaths due to the virus. Additionally, six historical deaths have been added to the COVID-19 dashboard through state's audit.
The state's positivity rate stands at 3.39%.
Beshear encouraged all Kentuckians 16 and older to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine appointment so the commonwealth can reach its 2.5 million vaccine "Team Kentucky Vaccination Challenge."
When the 2.5 million vaccine goal is reached, the state will lift most capacity restrictions on many Kentucky businesses.
“As we can see from today’s case numbers, this virus isn’t going away on its own. We have to come together to stop it. Hundreds of Kentuckians are still getting sick every day. Our people are still dying from COVID-19,” said Gov. Beshear. “But we have the power to defeat this pandemic now, and the way we can do that is by choosing to get vaccinated.”
As of Wednesday, 1.68 million Kentuckians have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Tuesday, April 20
At least 1.67 million Kentuckians have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Tuesday.
The governor also announced 609 new COVID-19 cases and seven deaths, bringing the state's death toll to 6,360. The state's positivity rate sits at 3.44%.
Jefferson County cases have increased for the second straight week, Dr. Moyer said.
Dr. Moyer reported that COVID cases increased for the second straight week after the city saw 12 weeks of decline in new cases. She said a majority of the cases are related to travel and individuals that come in contact with others traveling.
Dr. Moyer used the recent increase as a reminder that COVID is present in Louisville and there are cases of the COVID variants that are beginning to add up. She stressed for individuals that are traveling or moving about to screen themselves regularly.
“We know variants are increasing in the community,” Dr. Moyer said. “Last week, we reported 34 cases of the B.1.1.7 and one case of the P.1. If you’re traveling and hanging out with people that are not vaccinated, please continue to get tested. Get tested before traveling and get tested when you return.”
Mayor Fischer said it was encouraging that Louisville is beginning to see its economy emerge again. Still, the Mayor cautioned that there is an ongoing race against the COVID-19 variants. Speaking further, he said the city’s future depends on everyone beating COVID-19 by making sure the virus has no place to go.
“Right now, we’re running a marathon and we may see the finish line ahead, but we cannot declare victory,” Mayor Fischer said. “We need to be vigilant and mask up and maintain distance when we’re in public. Before, we could only play defense. Now we’re on offense, and the best tool we have to keep the virus from spreading is to get vaccinated.”
Monday, April 19
Gov. Beshear announced 231 new cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky and 9 more deaths.
The governor urged unvaccinated Kentuckians to make an appointment at one of the many vaccination clinics across the state.
"Let's be clear," Beshear said, "We will have a fourth wave of this virus if we don't get everybody out and get vaccinated and we continue to engage in safe practices."
So far, 1,665196 Kentuckians have received at least the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
There are now 179 cases of coronavirus variants in Kentucky. According to the governor, 173 of those cases are the B117 variant which was first detected in the United Kingdom.
The state announced updated the Healthy at Work guidance for businesses. All must follow the new minimum requirements, and supplemental requirements for specific businesses and events were also posted online.
The most noticeable change in guidance is related to capacity:
Events with 1,000 or fewer persons in a single room or space are limited to the lesser of 60% capacity or the maximum number of individuals that permits appropriate physical distancing.
Events with greater than 1,000 persons in a single room or space are limited to the lesser of 50% capacity or the maximum attendance that permits appropriate physical distancing.
The state's largest mass vaccination clinic, Cardinal Stadium in Louisville, announced it will extend its hours this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to 8 p.m. You must have an appointment to receive a vaccine at this clinic. To sign up for an appointment, visit https://uoflhealth.org/louisville-covid-19-vaccinations/.
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As of Sunday, April 18, Kentucky's positivity rate had inched up to 3.48%. All U.S. adults are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, meeting the April 19 deadline that President Joe Biden announced just two weeks ago.
On Monday, April 12, Gov. Andy Beshear rolled out a statewide vaccine challenge. The first goal of the challenge is to give out 2.5 million first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in Kentucky. When the state reaches that goal, Beshear said he will remove capacity restrictions on nearly all events, businesses and venues that serve fewer than 1,000 customers. He also said he would remove physical distancing restrictions and end the curfew for bars and restaurants in the state.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine remains on pause. The U.S. on Tuesday, April 13 recommended a “pause” in use of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to investigate reports of rare but potentially dangerous blood clots, setting off a chain reaction worldwide and dealing a setback to the global vaccination campaign.
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