The number of COVID-19 cases in Kentucky fell dramatically last week as several virus statistics remained steady.
During the week ending Sunday, 7,927 new cases were reported, well down from the 13,497 cases reported to the Kentucky Department for Public Health two weeks ago; also a decrease from the 9,761 cases announced three weeks ago.
Kentucky has now had 1,388,211 COVID cases reported since the beginning of the pandemic.
There were 51 COVID-related deaths during the week ending Sunday, a slight decrease from the 59 deaths reported two weeks ago.
In total, 16,114 citizens of Kentucky have perished from COVID or complications from the virus.
The COVID positivity rate rose vaguely from 12.07 percent two weeks ago to 12.45 percent last week.
The rate of occurrence (nearly) remained static, as the metric was 24.41 last week after checking in at 24.42 two weeks ago.
There were 369 people hospitalized last week, up 17 patients from the 352 hospitalizations two weeks ago. There were 48 patients in intensive care last week, down from 50 ICU patients the previous week. The number of people on a ventilator remained at 25.
While the statewide case numbers fell considerably last week, there are now 19 Kentucky counties in the “red,” signaling a “high” spread of the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are 47 counties in the “orange,” indicating a “medium” spread of the virus, and 73 counties in the “green,” designating a “low” spread.
The only nearby county currently in the “red” is Hardin County, which reported 237 new COVID cases last week.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
