These are archived updates from your coronavirus blog. Current numbers are here.
Dec. 21
THE NUMBERS: Following an escalation in coronavirus cases round the Thanksgiving holiday, Kentucky has seen two weeks of declining numbers when comparing seven-day averages, based on state officials.
On Monday, their state reported 1,988 new installments of COVID-19, that is slightly greater than last Monday. But Gov. Andy Beshear says overall the numbers suggest cases are beginning to stabilize in Kentucky.
“This is nice news. Still too many cases. Still too many people going to the hospital. Still too much death, but good news in that our work is absolutely creating a difference,” Beshear said.
Beshear says the decline in new cases shows the most recent round of restrictions worked and praised Kentuckians for following public health guidelines.
Cases by Monday December 21:
- 1,988 new cases
- 244,297 total cases
- 1,580 people hospitalized
- 8.64% positivity rate
- 411 in ICU
- 231 on ventilators
- 15 additional deaths
- 2,412 Kentuckians have died
TESTING: City officials have urged that Louisvillians stay home this holiday, but they encourage anyone traveling or attending events for the holidays anyway to obtain tested before and after.
Free testing sites are available throughout the city – a list of all COVID-19 testing sites can be found here.
The city continues to be inside a red zone with uncontrolled spread from the coronavirus, with 19% of the state's cases from Jefferson County.
CONTACT TRACING TEXTS: Louisville contact tracers begin texting today (Monday) to individuals who have tested positive for COVID 19, but haven't had a case investigation.
The texts can come from toll-free numbers and encourage visitors to call into a local number themselves or answer the phone the next time contact tracers call.
The text will come in one of three toll-free numbers: 844-822-0008, 844-822-0050, or 844-822-0051. Here's a sample from the text:
“This is really a message from the Louisville Health Department. We are attempting to reach [name] a good important matter regarding health. We will be calling [name] throughout the day today from 502-912-8968. We strongly encourage them to please answer our call or give us a call only at that number available 24 hrs. each day. Please leave a note having a phone number and also the hours you can be reached as our voicemail is safe. A care advocate will return the phone call as soon as possible.”
Dec. 20
Two truckloads of the Moderna vaccine arrived in Louisville Sunday morning at UPS Worldport.
Each semi had hundreds of boxes of the vaccine, based on a swimming pool report. Among the first batch of packages will be delivered locally while UPS will transport the rest elsewhere.
Dec. 19
Gov. Andy Beshear reported 3,388 coronavirus cases and 27 new COVID-19 deaths Saturday, capping a week that included the single deadliest day for Kentucky since the pandemic's onset.
But inside a release Saturday evening Beshear said the number of cases is declining compared to the previous fourteen days, an indication that mitigation efforts are working to slow the spread from the virus.
“What there has been would be that the measures we have taken are working,” Beshear said. “We have stopped the rise in cases.”
The state's rate of positive coronavirus tests held steady at about 8.6 %.
As of four p.m. Saturday 1,655 Kentuckians were hospitalized because of COVID-19, 438 of these in intensive care, and 253 on ventilators. Begin to see the data on hospital capacity in the region here.
Also Saturday, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said the current FDA approval of the second vaccine by pharmaceutical company Moderna means more doses for that city are coming soon. In a Facebook “town hall” event Fischer said the Moderna vaccine might be available when the week of Christmas, supplementing the Pfizer vaccine.
Dec. 18
The state of Kentucky reported 3,179 new installments of COVID-19 on Friday. Gov. Andy Beshear also reported 28 additional deaths. The amount of deaths statewide from COVID-19 stands at 2,344. Jefferson County reported probably the most new cases in the state with 434.
Earlier on Friday, Beshear signed a new executive order making sure health and safety guidelines mandatory for schools going back to in-person classes on Jan. 4.
WFPL’s Jess Clark explains what his order means.
Dec. 16
The final shipment within the initial delivery of Pfizer coronavirus vaccine destined for Kentucky hospitals is here.
Gov. Beshear made the announcement along with the latest on the coronavirus in Kentucky. Here’s the entire report for Wednesday:
- New cases today: 2,898
- New deaths today: 23
- Positivity rate: 8.57%
- Total deaths: 2,262
- Currently hospitalized: 1,793
- Currently in ICU: 460
- Currently on ventilator: 239
Dec. 15
VACCINATION TASK FORCE: Louisville Metro Government is forming a COVID-19 vaccination task force. City officials the taskforce will bring together different leaders of stakeholder groups, such as hospital systems and researchers, to strategize effective distribution at the local level.
Plans for that first rounds of vaccinations are already relatively organized by the state and federal government. Frontline healthcare workers and long-term care facility residents and personnel are the type of obtaining the first doses.
“After that, things get a a bit more gray, and we desire to be certain gray area is really as equitable as possible,” Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness Associate Medical Director SarahBeth Hartlage said Tuesday.
“We need to make sure we make certain we are reaching into all corners in our community and reach those people who are at highest chance of severe disease.”
In addition to distribution, the job force will also concentrate on communication. Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer expressed concern that misinformation has already been spreading about the vaccine online. -Jess Clark
Dec. 14
THE NUMBERS: Gov. Beshear reported the following COVID-19 numbers Monday:
- New cases today: 1,802
- New deaths today: 17
- Positivity rate: 8.58%
- Total deaths: 2,224
- Currently hospitalized: 1,712
- Currently in ICU: 441
- Currently on ventilator: 243
VACCINES ARE HERE: Over the next three days, 11 regional hospitals over the state will receive a lot more than 12,000 doses of the vaccine to administer to healthcare workers. WFPL’s Ryan Van Velzer was there when the first workers in the state were vaccinated Monday morning.
Dec. 13
The to begin thousands of doses of coronavirus vaccine found its way to Louisville at UPS Worldport on Sunday. The Pfiizer vaccine will be distributed round the nation including within Kentucky.
Also Sunday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced another 2,454 installments of COVID-19. Here’s the full report:
- New cases today: 2,454
- New deaths today: 15
- Positivity rate: 8.52%
- Total deaths: 2,207
- Currently hospitalized: 1,712
- Currently in ICU: 434
- Currently on ventilator: 224
Dec. 12
Though the FDA approved Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine late Friday, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said it it's still some time of all time widely available in the commonwealth.
In an emailed release on Saturday, Beshear reiterated his previous intention to prioritize vaccinating front line health care workers and people in long-term health care facilities.
“It is morally imperative that we get the vaccine towards the most vulnerable Kentuckians first,” he explained.
Dec. 11
Gov. Andy Beshear marked another decline in the state’s positivity rate, because he announced another 3,691 new installments of COVID-19 on Friday. Beshear now cited the stop by the positivity rate when he announced that bars, restaurants along with other spaces can resume indoor service on Monday.
–staff
VACCINES: Hospital chains in Kentucky are earning intends to distribute their first shipments of vaccines to staff.
Norton Healthcare expects 2,000 doses; UofL Health expects to get 975 doses of the coronavirus vaccine early in a few days.
Dr. Jason Smith said Friday that UofL will be prioritizing employees: Nurses, doctors, support staff and other people assisting with caring for COVID-19 patients is going to be eligible. But it is going to be voluntary.
“If they do opt out we keep these things inform us why,” Smith said. “They may say that they're not sure, they may say they've had the virus and wish to wait till later or something like that along those lines. And then provides for us an opportunity to understand, one, if there’s something we need to educate about and alleviate those fears they've already. And two, it provides us a concept therefore if we have a number of people not taking the vaccine, we can roll that over to other individuals once we work our way through the list.”
Smith says they have more staff needing the vaccine than doses within the first round, but that they'll proceed to the following highest priority patient should they have any remaining.
Dec. 10
NUMBERS: Gov. Andy Beshear announced a new daily case record on Thursday and the end of restaurant and bar closures because the state readies to begin distributing vaccines.
Beshear announced 4,324 new daily COVID-19 cases, a new record, and 28 new deaths.
Despite the brand new record, Beshear believes numbers will quickly fall.
“We've reached plateau before we are able to decrease,” he explained. “When we discuss COVID being a fast-moving train, it does not just immediately turn. You need to slow it down, stop it, and turn it around.”
Beshear will let his restrictions on a number of public venues, including bars and restaurants, gyms and event spaces, expire on Monday. Bars, restaurants and other affected spaces will go back to 50% capacity indoors. –John Boyle
VACCINES: The kits accustomed to administer the coronavirus vaccine are being shipped out to locations round the nation Thursday from Louisville. UPS says the kits arrived for sorting at Worldport Wednesday night. When the FDA grants approval for the vaccine, it will likely be sent too.
Dec. 9
Gov. Andy Beshear didn’t hold an active briefing on Wednesday, but he released the number of new cases, which remain high. He announced 3,481 new cases.
However, he cited a declining positivity rate as signs that restrictions on public gatherings are paying dividends.
Dec. 8
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear reported 3,114 new cases of COVID-19 , several he called high, but roughly 1,000 fewer cases than were reported the prior Tuesday.
“Growth in cases appears to be slowing and we hope that continues to be the case,” he said. Beshear also reported another 20 deaths because of coronavirus.
The Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday that Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine is protected and efficient. That vaccine should arrive in Kentucky this month. In the meantime, Louisville nutritionists are monitoring arrival schedules, and therefore are encouraged by the news of the vaccines’ efficacy
Beshear outlined an agenda in which the first doses of vaccine could arrive in Kentucky as soon as next week.
Dec. 6
Kentucky has another 2,567 positive cases of coronavirus, Gov. Andy Beshear reported late Sunday afternoon. That brings the state's final amount of cases since mid-March to 200,632.
It's a somber milestone hitting nine months towards the day because the first reported case within the state, the governor said inside a news release.
He also reported that 10 more Kentuckians have left from complications from COVID-19.
According to the release, 1,673 people are currently hospitalized due to the virus, with 401 within the intensive care unit and 214 people on ventilators.
Beshear requested continued patience and diligence with the chance of COVID-19 vaccines “just around the corner.”
Dec. 5
Gov. Beshear announced 3,892 new cases of coronavirus in Kentucky today, making a week ago a record-breaking week for new cases. 23 more Kentuckians have forfeit their lives to the virus, including a 38-year-old woman along with a 41-year-old woman.
In a virtual town hall on Saturday morning, Mayor Greg Fischer said 372 people in Louisville are hospitalized with coronavirus.
Dr. Jon Klein, vice dean for research in the UofL Med school, was also part of that event. He said the city's major hospitals have capacity, but taking a look at Jefferson County numbers alone could be misleading.
“Lots of rural hospitals are starting to max out on their ICUs,” Klein said. “When they do this plus they become completely full, they will wish to send patients here.”
Nov. 26
We we do hope you and yours had a great Thanksgiving should you celebrate. Their state didn’t release any new numbers today.
Nov. 25
STATE OF THE STATE OF EMERGENCY: When the Republican-led Kentucky legislature goes back into session in January, it will have in all probability the chance to end the coronavirus state of emergency declared by Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear.
That's because earlier this year lawmakers passed-and Beshear signed-Senate Bill 150, including language requiring the governor to create to start dating ? ending your emergency before the next session or even the legislature would be liberated to decide whether to continue it. Capitol reporter Ryland Barton has this analysis.
EAT, DRINK AND BE CAREFUL: The Centers for Disease Control say no one should travel this season, and Thanksgiving celebrations ought to be limited to those who reside in your household. Kentucky's guidelines say no more than two households are allowed to meet up.
Experts say there is no real way to get rid of the risk of transmission in this setting. However, you can mitigate the risk if you've chosen to obtain along with those outside all your family members. WFPL's Kate Howard spoke with Neysa Ernst, the nurse manager at Johns Hopkins' biocontainment unit for patients with contagious diseases, about her suggested precautions.
Nov. 24
Kentucky's surge in coronavirus cases is responsible for some hospitals to lessen other health care services to support the growing quantity of COVID-19 patients.
Gov. Andy Beshear announced 2,690 new positive coronavirus cases Tuesday and 1,658 COVID-19 hospitalizations – a clear, crisp increase in the last two weeks.
Gov. Beshear said hospitals have previously adjusted services to deal with more COVID-19 patients.
Nov. 23
At least one Kentucky public school is likely to hold in-person instruction next week, despite Gov. Andy Beshear's executive order closing all private and public schools to avoid the spread of the coronavirus. Jess Clark has the story.
Nov. 22
Just a couple of days before Thanksgiving, state officials announced another record-high week of recent coronavirus cases and the highest Sunday ever with 2,194 new cases.
Nov. 21
3,711 NEW CASES SATURDAY IN KY: Gov. Andy Beshear announced on Saturday 3,711 new cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky. That's the second-highest daily total of recent cases yet. The record was focused on Friday.
Beshear announced 21 new deaths because of the new coronavirus. The positivity rate is 9.14%, meaning about one in every 11 individuals who get tested are positive. Beshear said 202 Kentuckians are currently on ventilators and 370 are in the ICU.
“We continue being in exponential growth, which will threaten the care capacity within this state,” Beshear said. “That's why we're following through, which explains why we're fighting back.”
INDIANA’S SATURDAY NUMBERS: Indiana nutritionists reported 6,983 new installments of coronavirus on Saturday, and 40 new deaths. 5,246 individuals have died in most since the pandemic reached the state.
State officials say 3,168 people are hospitalized with coronavirus in Indiana. That's the largest number of patients since the state began releasing public reports early in the year.
Nov. 19
HIGHEST DAILY TOTAL IN PANDEMIC HISTORY: Gov. Beshear again reported a new daily record for COVID-19 cases in Kentucky on Thursday.
The 3,649 new cases marked your fourth record-breaking total in nine days. Beshear said such exponential growth shows why it had been necessary to implement new restrictions on social gatherings, public spaces and schools this week.
“It's continuing to develop, and it'll keep growing,” Beshear said. “Our job would be to stop it. This is exactly why we've put these new steps into position.”
Beshear also announced the highest positivity rate to date, at 9.18%. Thirty new deaths were reported, the second-highest daily death toll of the pandemic. Nearly 80 Kentuckians have died because of COVID-19 previously three days.
Nov. 18
NEW RESTRICTIONS ANNOUNCED: Restaurants and bars is going to be closed to indoor dining starting Friday until December 13 due to the uncontrolled spread from the coronavirus.
Governor Andy Beshear announced the new restrictions throughout his daily briefing today. Indoor venues, event spaces and theaters might have no more than 25 people per room, and Beshear also limited gatherings to simply your own household and something other, for a maximum of eight people.
The state can also be launching a $40 million dollar fund to assist bars and restaurants, which will be entitled to as much as $10,000 each.
Beshear announced 2,753 new installments of coronavirus in Kentucky today. All of the five highest days came within the last week.
He also ordered that public and private schools proceed to remote learning on Monday.
Nov. 17
NEW STEPS TO SLOW SPREAD COMING WEDNESDAY
Kentucky recorded its highest daily death toll Tuesday: 33 new deaths from COVID-19. Gov. Beshear reported 2,931 new cases, including at least 325 children. Here’s the full report for the day.
At the governor’s 4 o’clock briefing, Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack showed data indicating exponential spread all through the commonwealth. “This really is terrifying,” Stack said.
Judy Mattingly, director from the Franklin County Health Department, said individuals who test positive nowadays there are asked to do their very own contact tracing, since the virus is spreading too quickly for workers to keep up (the same was announced for Louisville earlier within the day). Should you test positive, you need to notify anyone you'd contact with – that means you were within six feet of each other for any total to 15 minutes or more, 2 days before your symptoms started (or if you’re an asymptomatic carrier, 2 days before you decide to were built with a positive test).
Beshear said he’ll announce new steps the state takes to slow the spread on Wednesday. He didn’t give details, but said they’ll be mandatory. “Asking nicely hasn’t gotten the results that people need,” he said.
LOUISVILLE LIMITING CONTRACT TRACING: The sharp increase of COVID-19 cases in Louisville in the last six weeks has forced the city's health department to limit active contact tracing.
Louisville's Metro Department of Health and Wellness tops out its contact tracing capacity at 25 cases per hundred-thousand individuals. -Amina Elahi
Nov. 15
YUP, YOU GUESSED IT: Another record week.
“Unless Kentuckians get together, we will carry on this dangerous trajectory with disastrous consequences,” Dr. Stephen Stack said Sunday.
Nov. 14
Saturday brings another new daily large number of coronavirus cases in Kentucky with 3,303 new infections, Gov. Andy Beshear reported inside a pr release.
The announcement accompanied a grim set of statistics that Beshear said is “almost unimaginable compared to where i was months ago.”
Beshear warned that unless compliance with red zone county recommendations in the White House improves and cases begin declining, additional measures may be needed to control the virus.
Nov. 13
Kentucky Sets New Daily Records For New Covid-19 Cases, Deaths
Nov. 12
THE NUMBERS: Gov. Andy Beshear announced 2,342 new installments of coronavirus in Kentucky on Thursday, the third-highest daily total to date.
Beshear said the virus continues to spread in an alarming rate across the state and nation.
Despite the surge, Beshear says he's still not at the point where he really wants to impose new restrictions on businesses.
“Right now, we're not considering any full turn off of any industry. If we get to that time, it might certainly be limited in duration,” Beshear said. -Ryland Barton
SUPREME COURT OK’S EXECUTIVE ORDERS: The Kentucky Top court has unanimously ruled in support of Gov. Andy Beshear's capacity to issue emergency orders throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
The ruling comes after several Northern Kentucky business owners sued Beshear at the end of June over his orders, which affected their reopening during the pandemic.
Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron joined the lawsuit and expanded it, asking the court to rule on whether Beshear had the power to issue any orders throughout the state of emergency. Justice Lisabeth Hughes wrote with respect to the court, stating that the governor did have the ability to issue emergency executive orders.
“The Governor's orders were, and then be, essential to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect the and safety of all Kentucky citizens,” Hughes wrote. -Ryland Barton
Nov. 11
A Kentucky home displays green lights.
On Nov. 11, veterans typically line the streets and ride in parades across the U.S. But this year Veterans Day aren't the same for all of those who've served. For veterans who spend their golden years in long-term care centers, they now face a brand new concern: COVID-19.
Corinne Boyer of the Ohio Valley ReSource brings us a look at the way the pandemic has affected veterans.
Nov. 10
Louisville health officials are urging individuals to begin planning for Thanksgiving this week.
The safest way of spending the holiday would be to stay at home, Chief Health Strategist Dr. Sarah Moyer said on Tuesday. Starting Wednesday, anyone likely to travel or perhaps be around others beyond their household should quarantine, she said. Travelers is deserving of tested for COVID-19 2 or 3 days before leaving.
Moyer reported a record-breaking 2,300 COVID-19 cases in Louisville in the last week. Hospitalizations are also reaching the highest quantity of a pandemic. -John Boyle
Nov. 9, 2021
Gov. Andy Beshear announced 1,745 new cases COVID-19 on Monday. He explained the number is the biggest number for a Monday because the pandemic began. Also, he reported 11 additional deaths. He noted that the state has additionally a set another grim record: 300 COVID patients are in intensive care units.
His briefing came on the day once the pharmaceutical company Pfizer announced a trial vaccine that appears to be 90% good at stopping the coronavirus. Beshear known as the news a “potential light at the end of the tunnel.” -staff
Nov. 8, 2021
AGAIN, RECORDS SHATTERED: Kentucky remains battered by COVID-19 as cases, hospitalizations and deaths rise to previously unimaginable heights. The commonwealth reported 1,177 new cases Sunday, bringing the state's positivity rate to 7.24%.
Gov. Andy Beshear noted in a pr release this is the highest positivity rate in more than six months, and the highest number of cases per week ever – by almost 500 cases.
Four more deaths were reported, including two 92-year-old men, a 77-year-old man and a 76-year-old man. More than 1,500 Kentuckians have died from coronavirus since March. -Eleanor Klibanoff
Nov. 7
Governor Andy Beshear announced 2,162 new installments of coronavirus in Kentucky on Saturday. This is the highest Saturday total since the pandemic reached the commonwealth.
The positivity rate is constantly on the climb. It is 7.17%, up from 6.77% the day before.
In an e-mail release, Kentucky Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack said Kentucky is in an “alarming and deeply concerning situation.” -Laura Ellis
Nov. 6
THE NUMBERS: It’s another day when COVID-19 cases topped 2,000 across Kentucky.
Today, the amount reached 2,302, according to Gov. Andy Beshear. Also, he reported 10 additional deaths, bringing total coronavirus fatalities to 1,544.
Beshear described the state’s COVID-19 situation as “frightening”.
“…You have to understand this is easily the most dangerous COVID-19 has ever been within the commonwealth and it is leading to more of our fellow Kentuckians becoming sick, being hospitalized and dying. We are able to only get back to normal if we address it directly and that's why I'm urging all of you, particularly those in red counties, to follow along with recommendations for lowering the spread in your neighborhood.”
Jefferson, Fayette, Kenton, Hardin, Warren, Campbell and Bullitt had the most cases, based on the governor.
Earlier today, Jefferson County Public Schools announced football playoffs is going to be played.
–staff
Nov. 5, 2021
TODAY’S NUMBERS: Gov. Andy Beshear announced a lot more than 2,000 daily COVID-19 cases in Kentucky on Thursday, just for the second time during the pandemic.
The 2,318 cases fell just lacking the Oct. 7 record of two,398. The second, however, was due to a backlog of cases in Fayette County, Beshear said.
“There's no backlog within this one,” he said. “We're not just over 2,000, we went excess of 2,000. This is far, too many cases.” -John Boyle
Janssen Covid-19 vaccine, that is entering phase 3 trials
VACCINE TRIAL: The University of Kentucky and Baptist Health in Lexington and Norton Healthcare in Louisville were put to use as testing locations for a coronavirus vaccine now in its phase three trial.
Infectious disease specialist and system epidemiologist Dr. Paul Schulz said this stage of the trial means the vaccine continues to be through testing making it safer for broader use.
The study needs 2,000 local participants.
ANTIBODY TESTS: The University of Louisville is seeking more participants in the COVID-19 antibody testing program.
U of L’s Co-Immunity Project is trying to discover the true prevalence of COVID-19 infection and find out how lots of people may have had herpes previously, so volunteers get both a nasal swab test for active infections and a finger-stick blood test to detect antibodies. Testing is free and no insurance is required.
Any Jefferson County resident who's at least 18 years old can make an appointment at http://bit.ly/uoflcovid or call 1-833-313-0502. -Kate Howard
Nov. 4
MASK MANDATE EXTENDED: Gov. Andy Beshear has extended Kentucky's mask mandate another 30 days.
Because of the ongoing uptick in cases, the state's mask mandate will now extend into December. Beshear said a brand new poll reported by the New York Times showed 71% of Kentucky voters “strongly or somewhat strongly” support mask requirements for public interactions.
Beshear announced 1,635 new cases Wednesday, bringing Kentucky's total to a lot more than 113,000. Although the total did not break any records for daily cases – something that has happened repeatedly in the last several weeks – he explained it is “way a lot of.”
BALANCED STATE BUDGET FOR FY2021: At Wednesday’s coronavirus briefing, Governor Andy Beshear said despite earlier concerns, Kentucky will complete the 2021 fiscal year with a balanced budget, with no additional cuts to convey agencies or the Road Fund. He states that's based on a recent report from the Office of the State Budget Director. After the fiscal year, Behear says there will be around $460 million in the Budget Reserve Trust Fund (known as the state's “rainy day fund”) – the greatest that fund has have you been.
NEW PPE PRODUCTION IN KENTUCKY: A Kentucky manufacturing facility has announced intends to create nearly 200 jobs to produce medical gloves.
U.S. Medical Glove Co. LLC will hire 192 workers at a Paris plant to fabricate the gear. Retired Maj. Gen. Michael Davidson, who's the company's CEO, said they'll focus their recruitment efforts on hiring veterans.
“This plant belongs to returning critical product manufacturing to the United States,” he explained in a press release issued by the governor's office. “Our hiring of veterans is a huge a part of that.”
Gov. Andy Beshear said in the release that the plan will benefit Kentucky's combat coronavirus and its economy.
“Personal protective equipment is in high demand throughout the world, and this new company can help meet that need,” Beshear said.
The facility will undergo a $32.5 million renovation to support the operation, that is expected to begin next year. The company is eligible to receive as much as $2.5 million in tax incentives included in a 10-year agreement using the state under the Kentucky Business Investment program, and the other program through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act could earn the company an additional $50,000 in tax incentives. –John Boyle
Nov. 3
‘A GRIM MILESTONE’: On Election Day, Kentucky reported its 6th highest day's COVID-19 cases, which included 255 positive cases among kids under 18.
Gov. Andy Beshear announced 1,795 new cases of COVID-19 . The commonwealth's positivity rates are now above 6 % with 1,037 people hospitalized. Beshear says 11 more and more people have left in the virus, pushing the total deaths to at least one,503.
“Over 1,500 Kentuckians that we've lost – that's a grim milestone and it appears that we're likely to lose a substantial quantity of additional Kentuckians unless we pick it up, unless we do better,” Beshear said. Read more here. -Corinne Boyer
LOUISVILLE CASES STILL SKYROCKETING: Louisville’s average daily incident rate has doubled since October, and nearly the entire county is regarded as inside a red zone for community spread.
During a briefing Tuesday morning, Dr. Sarah Moyer, the director of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness, said the city is experiencing exponential increases of coronavirus infections. While the positivity rate is relatively stable because testing is increasing, the incident rate is skyrocketing.
“Once again to slow unless our activities start changing,” Moyer said.
Connie Mendel, deputy director of Louisville Public Health, said the company is transitioning to COVID enforcement only, and no longer conducting routine inspections. “We'll also be contacting businesses, private yet others, that are not following [the governor’s] recommendations for the red level, and working with them to get them to comply with those,” Mendel said.
Businesses violating current rules will be cited and fined, Mendel said. But a crowded Butchertown Halloween party has highlighted one gap in enforcement: Mendel said that, even though they often hear concerning the crowded warehouse party without masks or social distancing, they haven’t issued any citations, because inspectors didn’t witness the violations personally. -Kate Howard
Nov. 2
ANOTHER WEEK, ANOTHER HIGH: Reported cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky would be the highest they have been as new red zone recommendations went into effect in more than 1 / 2 of the state's 120 counties Monday.
Two weeks ago the state hit an every week pandemic a lot of 9,335 cases. Last week their state shattered that record with 11,700 reported cases -a 25% increase week over week.
“Our actions or inactions are resulting in the kind of loss that in my every day life is inconceivable and is going to exceed most every major war in the standpoint of loss of Kentuckians,” Gov. Andy Beshear said Monday.
The state again reported its highest daily total for a Monday with 1,032 cases on a day when labs ordinarily report fewer cases because of scheduling.
- 1,032 new cases (109,670 total cases since pandemic started)
- 988 people hospitalized
- 270 in ICU 142 on ventilators
- 6.25% positivity rate
- 3 more people have left (1,470 total)
Monday seemed to be the very first day 68 counties round the state were designed to begin following the state's “Red-Zone Reduction Recommendations.”
-Ryan Van Velzer
Nov. 1
THE NUMBERS: Kentucky recorded another 1,423 cases of COVID 19 on Sunday, according to Gov. Andy Beshear.
Numbers reported on Sunday are often revised upward on Monday. Even so, time brings the state's final amount of cases to 108,642.
Beshear also reported Sunday that another four people have died from COVID 19. The amount of fatalities now stands at 1,493.
In an argument, Beshear said the top counties for cases are Jefferson, Fayette, Kenton, Johnson and McCracken.
Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner from the Department for Public Health, said within the statement the situation in Kentucky has now reached a vital stage.
“The spread of COVID-19 is accelerating at a dangerous pace,” Stack said.
Last week, their state surpassed its weekly record cases by nearly one thousand confirmed infections.
-staff
Oct. 30
SPOOKY: Gov. Andy Beshear has called on adults to cancel any in-person Halloween celebrations and issued safety guidelines for trick-or-treaters this weekend.
Health officials happen to be discouraging trick-or-treating, but Beshear said if people are going to venture out, they ought to follow the following tips:
Oct. 29
TODAY’S NUMBERS: Sixty-eight of 120 Kentucky counties are now in the red zone.
- 1,821 new cases (103,305 total cases since pandemic started)
- 227 from the new cases are children
- 969 people hospitalized
- 234 in ICU 120 on ventilators
- 6.04% positivity rate
- 19 more people have died
As cases are escalating, Beshear’s administration needs a federal waiver to prevent collecting “overpayment” debt from Kentuckians who received unemployment benefits.
Baxter Avenue Morgue and other Louisville haunted houses have experienced a steady stream of economic despite rises in COVID-19 cases.
A COVID-19 SPOOKY SEASON: Not all of the Louisville area's haunted attractions moved forward with the 2021 season, but a minimum of 10 opened towards the public. Many aspects of the season aren't any different than in years past. Haunted houses that opened continue to be offering all of the traditional scares, creepy clowns and chainsaw chases that thrill seekers have become accustomed to. -John Boyle
Oct. 28
TODAY’S NUMBERS: Again, Gov. Andy Beshear on Wednesday announced another record day for confirmed COVID-19 cases.
- 1,864 new cases of COVID-19 in KY.
- 14 deaths
- 927 people hospitalized
- 235 in ICU
- 110 on ventilators
- 6.07% positivity rate
Kentucky pushed past 100,000 cases, and 65 counties are in the “red zone” for spread.
NTI ATTENDANCE: Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) says it features a 91.3% participation rate for that first 6 weeks of nontraditional instruction (NTI). But rates are lower for Black and Latinx students, students with disabilities and students learning English. -Jess Clark
RESTAURANTS AREN’T LOVING NEW RECOMMENDATIONS: Kentucky restaurants say they can expect to see an instantaneous reduction in customers following a latest round of coronavirus recommendations from Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, based on the Kentucky Restaurant Association.
Restaurant Association President Stacy Roof she's disheartened the governor's office has designated the restaurant industry in recommending takeout instead of dining in. It isn't necessarily good for the restaurant business, but Kentucky's recommendations are in step with guidelines in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which consider on-site dining to be the greatest risk for restaurant-goers. -Ryan Van Velzer
Oct. 27
TODAY’S NUMBERS: Gov. Andy Beshear on Tuesday announced another record day for confirmed COVID-19 cases:
- 1,786 new cases of coronavirus in KY today.
- 18 new deaths
- 913 people hospitalized with COVID
- 233 in ICU
- 115 on ventilators
- 5.97% positivity rate
Read more on yet another record-breaking day.
MAYOR ON COVID: Louisville officials are asking residents to follow the brand new COVID-19 recommendations Gov. Andy Beshear issued Monday.
Mayor Greg Fischer described the new recommendations as “solid,” during a Tuesday morning news briefing. He did not say Louisville would break with the state in terms of recommendations or restrictions.
“Where we're at right now as the city, is just to make certain that we continue to communicate, persuade folks to wear their mask and just think first of all about more compliance, personal compliance,” Fischer said.
He is encouraging Louisville residents to follow the recommendations, which include working at home when possible, not dining in at bars and restaurants and never attending or hosting gatherings associated with a size. –Amina Elahi
UK HOSPITALS PREP FOR SURGE: As Kentucky is constantly on the post record high numbers of coronavirus cases, University of Kentucky HealthCare hospitals revealed intends to accommodate an expected spike of hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
UK's Albert B. Chandler Hospital in Lexington treats COVID-19 patients from the city plus some coronavirus patients happen to be transferred using their company Kentucky hospitals.
Over the final two weeks, the hospitals have experienced a sharp increase of 20 to 25 additional COVID-19 patients. Regardless of the rise, the hospitals have not reached bed capacity. –Corinne Boyer
Oct. 26
NEW RECOMMENDATIONS: Over fifty percent of Kentucky's hospital beds are occupied and the state hasn't yet felt the entire impact of last week's record numbers of COVID-19.
“Folks, right now if a hospital accepts you as a COVID-19 patient- you are actually sick,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “So if you notice this chart this means a lot of people are becoming a lot sicker.”
In lieu of restrictions, Beshear adopted a brand new listing of strategies for “red zone” counties where cases are more than 25 per 100,000 residents.
The Commonwealth was among the first states in the united states to apply a mask mandate, as well as an 11 p.m. curfew remains in effect for bars and restaurants. Employers are limited to 50% capacity, gatherings of 10 or less are restricted, and long-term care sites still make sure restrict visitation, among other measures.
