Gov. Andy Beshear on Monday reported 381 new cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) were confirmed in Kentucky between Sunday and Monday afternoon.
The new cases increase the state’s COVID-19 victim count to 48,396.
Officials said 43 of the new cases are children 18 and younger.
During the last six weeks, the commonwealth has averaged over 16 children (five-years-old and younger) per day diagnosed with the virus, but on Monday, Beshear said only two children in that age group are included in the new cases.
While Monday’s numbers were down when compared to last week’s record-setting total of 4,503 new COVID-19 cases, the governor warned that reporting by health departments and other agencies on Sunday and Monday is spotty.
“We always have lower numbers on Sundays and Mondays, due to lab closures over the weekend,” Beshear said. “But the White House report for this week still has 59 of our 120 counties in the red or yellow zone. We don’t want any of our counties in either. Let’s remember how serious this is and not act like everything is normal.”
Officials announced three new deaths Monday, raising the total to 933 (1.9 percent fatality rate) Kentuckians lost to the virus.
The deaths reported Monday include a 61-year-old man from Lincoln County; a 72-year-old woman from Martin County; and a 65-year-old man from Owen County.
Of course, as previously reported by K105, the Grayson County Health Department reported two new deaths on Monday, which are not yet included in the state’s fatality totals.
Kentucky’s positivity rate continues to hover around four-and-a-half percent; on Monday it checked in at 4.42 percent.
Officials reported that 4,580 (9.5 percent) patients have been hospitalized since the beginning of the pandemic, with 557 people currently in a hospital. To date, 1,385 (2.9 percent) patients have been treated in an ICU, with 144 victims currently in intensive care.
At least 10,375 (21.4 percent) Kentuckians have recovered from the virus, and 877,443 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in the state.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
