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COVID-19 updates for Kentuckiana: Here's what's happening now amid virus and omicron surge

Gov. Andy Beshear said he is reporting "the highest COVID report since the pandemic began."

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — This blog is updated daily with the latest information on COVID vaccine plans and coronavirus updates from Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and health officials.

Friday, Jan. 14

Health officials confirm 975,346 total cases and 13,492 of them are new.

There are now 35 new deaths.

The positivity rate has increased to 28.61%.

Jefferson County is reporting 169,081 cases.

There are now 2,126 hospitalized specifically with COVID, 466 are in the ICU and 226 are on ventilators.

The spikes in COVID-19 in Kentucky and Indiana have been unprecedented with steeper spikes than any seen before.

In a press release, Public Affairs Officer Leslie Ashlock said the ongoing surge in COVID-19 cases has led to a rising number of employee shortages within the road department.

Also on Friday

Thursday, Jan. 13

Health officials confirms 962,007 total cases and 9,267 of them are new.

There are now 29 total deaths.

The positivity rate has increased to 27.77%.

Jefferson County is reporting 166,140 cases.

There are now 2,098 hospitalized specifically with COVID, 459 are in the ICU and 237 are on ventilators.

Hardin County Schools will have an non-traditional instruction day Friday, Jan. 14. Lunch will still be provided to students.

Wednesday, Jan. 12

The Kentucky Department of Health now confirms 952,956 total cases, with 7,593 being new.

They also confirmed 11,232 total deaths. Health officials confirmed 21 new total deaths.

The current positivity rate is 27.39%. 

Gov. Andy Beshear said he is reporting "the highest COVID report since the pandemic began."

Hospitals across Louisville reported record-breaking COVID-19 hospitalizations. As of Wednesday, here are the reported numbers from the hospitals treating patients for COVID-related complications:

  • Norton - 298 (Doing okay on capacity)
  • Baptist Health Louisville - 179 ( Doing okay on capacity)
  • The University of Louisville Health said they can't provide a hard number on COVID hospitalizations since bed numbers are constantly changing throughout the day, but say they are fine on bed space and ICU space at this time. 

Floyd County, Ind. Update

The Floyd County Health Department recorded the highest incidence rate since the start of the pandemic.

Officials said the incidence rate is 36.8%, up from nearly 17% two weeks ago and the department said the omicron variant is to blame.

The FCHD said that currently 56% of Hoosiers in the county over the age of 5 are vaccinated.

Tom Harris, a Floyd county health officer, said the recent outbreak has particularly targeted those in the 20-40 age group, which has a vaccination rate below 20%.

Harris urged residents to get their vaccines as there is no shortage. 

The department is also encouraging residents to wear their masks in public indoor areas for the next two weeks and to social distance when possible.

Tuesday, Jan. 11

The Oldham County School Board voted Monday to require all students, staff and visitors to wear masks in all buildings for the next two weeks during the day and at their enrichment centers.

JCPS and Borden-Henryville districts move to NTI for at least the next week.

The Kentucky Department of Health reports 651,165 confirmed cases, and 10,913 deaths due to COVID-19.

Of those, 3,784 are new cases and 13 new deaths.

The positivity rate is still 26.33%.

There are currently 8,836 (66.8%) people hospitalized and 1,261(87.2%) in intensive care overall. 

Only 673 people are on ventilators.

Jefferson County updates

Health officials confirmed 1 in 15 residents in the county are positive for COVID-19. 

The city is currently on a red level alert and reported 16,287 last week compared to the previous week.

The neighborhoods with high levels of the omicron variant in wastewater include Shawnee, Fern Creek, Cedar Creek, Newburg, Heritage Creek and Fairdale. 

Louisville also set a record high of hospitalizations with 413, surpassing the previous record of 399 set in Dec. 2020.  

Jefferson County is reporting 159,957 total cases.

RELATED: COVID-19 test site in Louisville church parking lot raise questions after delay in results

Omicron COVID vaccine by March?

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said Monday that a COVID-19 vaccine that specifically targets the omicron variant will soon be ready. 

During an interview on CNBC's "Squawk Box," Bourla said the vaccine "will be ready in March” and his company has already begun manufacturing doses. 

Pfizer's CEO acknowledged that he doesn't know whether the omicron-specific vaccine will be needed or how it'll be used, but if there's a need there will be doses ready once approved.

Monday, Jan. 10

Gov. Andy Beshear said in a news conference Jan. 10 there were 52,603 total cases last week.  

RELATED: 'It should shock you': Kentucky sets record with 52,603 COVID cases in a week

Over the weekend 11,985 cases and 53 deaths were reported.

 According to Beshear one in four people are testing positive and the positivity rate is now 26.33%. 

"It should shock you," Beshear said. "If we don't take this seriously, people die. And not just people who contract COVID. People who have heart attacks, people who have strokes, people who are in car accidents because beds are taken up, taken up primarily by unvaccinated Kentuckians leaving no room for those that need other help."

Watch Dr. Sarah Moyer's live COVID-19 update here:

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