KENTUCKY, USA — This is a weekly blog with daily updates on COVID-19 numbers and other related content in Kentucky for the week of January 11, 2021. Governor Andy Beshear is scheduled to give live updates on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 4 p.m.
Sunday January 17
Fewer cases of COVID-19 have been reported this week in the Commonwealth, according to Gov. Andy Beshear.
He said in a social media post that the state saw more than 3,700 fewer cases than last week with 23,050 reported.
However, about 2,362 new cases were reported on Sunday with a positivity rate of 11.49%.
Jefferson County also reported 350 new cases bringing the county’s total to 60,258.
Kentucky lost 34 more people to the virus pushing that total to 3,127.
There are 1,602 people hospitalized with 410 in intensive care and 212 on a ventilator.
More than 3.7 million Kentuckians have been tested for the virus.
The state has reported 326,675 positive cases since tracking began in March 2020.
Saturday, January 16
Gov. Andy Beshear has announced 3,096 new cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky.
The positivity rate fell just below 12% to 11.74%.
The state also reported 32 more deaths, bringing the total to 3,093.
There are 1,631 hospitalized with 408 in intensive care and 214 on a ventilator.
Kentucky has reported 324,325 cases since tracking the virus began in March 2020.
Officials say about 40,541 people have recovered from the virus.
Friday, January 15
Kentucky confirmed 3,955 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the overall total to 321,270. The state also reported 19 more deaths.
The state's test positivity rate is 12.09%.
“These case numbers are still far too high, but there is hopeful news today, too. We are on track as we ramp up to meet our goal of administering 90% of all vaccine received within seven days of arrival,” said Gov. Beshear.
According to the governor, 325,625 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been received and 190,547 doses have been administered.
Thursday, January 14
Kentucky confirmed 4,084 new cases of COVID-19 and 51 more deaths, putting the state past 3,000 overall deaths related to the virus. The state will be putting together a plan to honor those who have died.
There are currently 1,661 patients hospitalized, 409 in the ICU and 196 on ventilators.
The governor announced a partnership with Kroger to expand vaccinations throughout the state. It will involve regional, high-volume sites, a website to register for vaccination and a hotline. The first regional, drive-thru site will be announced January 28 and will open the week of Feb. 1.
Kroger will help support the state's phased vaccination approach. Kentucky is currently in Phase 1A and beginning Phase 1B. By Feb. 1, all phases -- 1A, 1B, 1C -- are all expected to be eligible.
Beshear also announced that that first round of vaccinations for K-12 personnel who agreed to be vaccinated will be complete by the week of Feb 1.
The governor said 172,537 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered.
Wednesday, January 13
Kentucky confirmed 4,560 new cases of COVID-19, which is the state's fourth highest daily increase. Forty-seven more deaths were reported, which is the state's third highest report of deaths.
Governor Beshear warned that Kentucky would pass 3,000 COVID-19 deaths. So, far 2,991 Kentuckians have died from the virus.
“That is tragic. We can stop this. We need to wear masks. We need to follow the rules and restrictions, and now is not the time to pull away the authority that keeps us safe," Beshear said in part. "That allows us to be fluid and flexible with a virus that appears to be mutating and spreading more aggressively.”
There are currently 1,702 COVID-19 patients hospitalized, 403 in the ICU and 225 in ventilators.
Tuesday, January 12
4:20 p.m.
Governor Andy Beshear confirmed 3,053 new cases of COVID-19 and 22 more deaths.
There are currently 1,733 Kentuckians hospitalized with the virus, 397 in the ICU and 205 on ventilators.
The state's test positivity rate is 12.23%.
The governor said he expects to make a significant announcement related to the COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday.
Monday, January 11
4:35 p.m.
Governor Andy Beshear announced 2,085 new cases of COVID-19 and 21 more deaths in Kentucky.
The governor said it is a dangerous time as the test positivity rate is at 12.35% and 119 counties are in the red zone. He said it appears gatherings over the holidays significantly increased the spread of the virus.
There are currently 1,709 Kentuckians hospitalized with the virus, 381 in ICU and 207 on ventilators.
1:50 p.m.
Senator Mitch McConnell announced Kentucky received a total of $297,521,270 in federal funding for statewide COVID-19 testing and vaccine distribution. The funds are part of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and are broken down as follows:
- $257,152,034 for testing, contact tracing, initiative to slow virus spread
- $40,369,236 vaccine distribution
“Kentucky is on our way to beating this virus with safe and effective vaccines. I’m proud the additional targeted federal relief funding is helping protect Kentucky families,” Senator McConnell said in a release. “Through Operation Warp Speed, American researchers and healthcare heroes developed vaccines in record time. Now, hardworking Kentuckians at UPS and DHL Express are a critical link to sending these vaccines across the eastern United States. Together, we will finish this fight.”
Last week, Kentucky surpassed 300,000 overall cases of COVID-19. As of Sunday, the state's test positivity rate was 12.45%.
The state is approaching 3,000 deaths related to the virus, with 2,901 total as of Sunday.
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