LOUISVILLE, 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, September 6
3:45 p.m.
Kentucky has set another unwanted record with the coronavirus.
The state recorded 4,742 new coronavirus cases for the week. It’s the second consecutive week Kentucky set a record for the number of new weekly cases.
“We’re facing the challenge of our lifetimes and we must do better. These past six months have been devastating for so many Kentucky families. These months also will be remembered as a time when Kentuckians lived up to our reputation as compassionate, resolute and resilient people who take care of one another,” Gov. Andy Beshear said.
Officials reported 313 new cases Sunday, bringing the state’s current cases of the virus to 52,774.
Of those new numbers, 43 were found in those 18 and under with the youngest case being a 27-day-old baby.
Kentucky is inching toward 1,000 deaths as three related to the virus were announced. The current total of Kentuckians lost to the virus stands at 996.
Officials said limited reporting on Sundays and the Labor Day holiday, a lot of new information will be delayed until Tuesday.
As the final holiday of the summer gets underway, Dr. Steven Stack said it could result in more cases reported but we wouldn’t know those numbers for another two to three weeks.
Saturday, September 5
5:45 p.m.
Even though it is Derby day in Louisville, Gov. Andy Beshear said it’s different for several reasons.
“Kentuckians are battling inequities, injustice and a global health pandemic brought on by COVID-19. For those who make your voice heard today, we are continuing to listen. For Kentuckians gathering today or over the holiday weekend, I ask you to please do so safely.”
The governor’s office has announced 790 new COVID-19 cases, pushing to the new overall total of cases since tracking the virus began to 52,464.
Officials say 98 of those new cases were found in those 18-years-old and younger. The youngest person with a positive case announced Saturday was found in a three-month-old.
Six more people have lost their lives to the virus. Kentucky now sits at 993 deaths.
Kentucky has administered 930,374 tests.
The current positivity rate stands at 4.22%.
An estimated 10,613 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.
Friday, September 4
Gov. Beshear reported 809 new coronavirus cases. This brings total to 51,677 cases statewide. Beshear said Ninety-eight of the newly (809) reported cases were from children age 18 and younger; eight were children ages 5 and under. The youngest was a 2-month-old baby from Jefferson County.
Beshear's office also reports 11 new deaths. With Friday's numbers, there have been a total of 987 Kentuckians lost to the virus.
He also issued a reminder about the holiday weekend.
“I know this is a big weekend: Derby weekend, even though it’s September, and Labor Day weekend,” said Gov. Beshear. “Traditionally, we’d get together with a lot of people over this weekend. This year, I need you to do it a little differently. Just this one time, probably in your entire life, please keep your gatherings small, 10 people or fewer.”
Thursday, September 3
4 p.m.
Kentucky confirmed 906 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the state's total to 50,885. Ten more Kentuckians have died.
Of the new cases, more than 120 cases are in children 18 and younger.
The state's test positivity rate is down slightly from the previous day. It is currently 4.53%.
Officials said the Kentucky Department is working with the federal, state and local governments on a plan to deploy a coronavirus vaccine when it is available.
The State Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack reminded Kentuckians that quarantine is used to keep people safe, saying it is not a punishment.
Wednesday, September 2
4 p.m.
Kentucky confirmed 816 new cases of COVID-19 and 18 more deaths.
Of the new cases, 116 of those are children 18 and younger.
The state's positivity rate is 4.71%.
The governor urged Kentuckians to continue wearing masks properly to help prevent and slow the spread of the virus.
Tuesday, September 1
4:30 p.m.
Gov. Andy Beshear has announced 807 new cases of COVID-19 In Kentucky.
The governor said 155 of those cases were confirmed in Jefferson County.
The 18-years old and younger demographic saw 150 with 55 of those cases found in 17 and 18-year-olds.
Dr. Stack said during the Tuesday press conference the state hovers around 150 cases per day per million Kentuckians. Since the Labor Day weekend is upon us, he’s still urging people to continue wearing masks, washing hands and not touching your face.
Gov. Beshear also announced 15 deaths associated with the virus, bringing the total Kentuckians lost to 948.
However, the state remains below a 5% positivity rate which currently stands at 4.4%
Other numbers:
Long-term Care Facilities: 13 staff confirmed positive, 4 resident deaths
K-12 schools: 15 students, 9 staff and 10 schools have at least 1 case.
Colleges: 410 students, 2 faculty/staff members
With the release of Tuesday's numbers, it brings Kentucky's overall total to 49,185.
Monday, August 31
4:45 p.m.
Gov. Andy Beshear has announced 381 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the overall total of cases reported in Kentucky to 48,396.
Forty-three of the new cases were found in children under 18.
Three new deaths were also reported on Monday, totaling 933 Kentuckians lost to the virus.
The governor said 59 of 120 Kentucky counties are in the red or yellow zone, according to data from the White House.
Jefferson County has moved from the red to the yellow zone. Beshear said the county had 111 new cases of the virus.
Ten college campuses have reported cases of COVID-19. So far, 7 students have tested positive.
Kentucky's positivity rate is 4.42%
Childcare
Secretary Eric Friedlander has announced new regulations for childcare providers. Childcare centers can now increase group sized from 10 to 15.
The state now says accelerated licensing is available for partial-day and employer-based providers.
Certified homes, licensed infant and 1-year-old classrooms can return to typical group size.
All staff must be masked, proper hygiene, small groups, health checks, and make plans for what happens if employee or staff member tests positive for COVID-19.
Helping parents meet NTI needs
All providers must have background checks
3:35 p.m.
Nine more positive cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Shelby, Trimble and Spencer Counties, according to the North Central District Health Department.
Officials said with that number, it increases the district case count to 1369.
Thirty-two people have been released from quarantine.
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Today, the U.S. surpassed 6 million COVID-19 cases, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. Global cases total 25 million. Data from the university shows there have been 183,000 COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. and nearly 850,000 globally.
As of Sunday, Kentucky confirmed more than 48,000 cases overall and the highest weekly increase since the pandemic reached the state, with 4,503 new cases last week.
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