Gov. Andy Beshear held a coronavirus (COVID-19) update on YouTube Saturday where he announced 244 newly confirmed cases of the virus in Kentucky.
The 244 new cases increase the state’s total to 7,688 COVID-19 cases. Beshear announced two new deaths on Saturday, as well, a 90-year-old Muhlenberg County resident and a 74-year-old Jefferson County man. Those fatalities raise Kentucky’s death toll to 334 (4.3 percent fatality rate).
The governor noted that 94 of the new cases arose from Jefferson County after outbreak of the virus at the JBS Swift meat packing plant and Maryhurst, a child welfare and safety organization.
Twenty-six of the new cases came from long-term care facilities, as 13 residents and staff members tested positive.
As of Saturday, 982 residents of long-term care facilities and 404 staff members have tested positive for the virus. Those 1,386 COVID-19 cases account for 18 percent of Kentucky’s cases.
One-hundred-ninety-six long-term care residents have died from the disease, while COVID-19 has also claimed the lives of two staff members, representing 59.3 percent of Kentucky’s fatal coronavirus cases.
A total of 91 long-term care facilities in Kentucky report at least one case of COVID-19.
Beshear said 1,967 (25.6 percent) victims have ever been hospitalized, with 438 people currently in a hospital. Currently, 270 people are receiving care in an ICU, while a total of 866 patients have even been in intensive care.
According to the governor, 2,768 (36 percent) Kentuckians have recovered, and 129,405 coronavirus tests have been administered.
Beshear did not conduct a briefing on Sunday and the Kentucky Department for Public Health did not update the COVID-19 numbers on its website.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
