Over 200 new cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) were confirmed in Kentucky between Wednesday and Thursday afternoon.
At his daily briefing, Gov. Andy Beshear announced 234 new cases of the virus in the state, increasing Kentucky’s total to 13,197 COVID-19 cases.
While the daily coronavirus numbers have been up and down over the last few weeks, Beshear said the ongoing reopening of the commonwealth’s economy remains on track but the margin is exceedingly thin.
“Let’s remember while these numbers are in an area where we still have reopening that is on track, where we still have the capacity in our health care systems to take care of people, that it’s a very fragile place where we are,” Beshear said. “We need to continue to follow the Healthy at Work rules. We need to continue to wear masks, and those that aren’t; we need you to reconsider.”
Beshear reported three new deaths Thursday, raising to 520 (3.9 percent fatality rate) the number of Kentuckians lost to the virus.
Officials said that after review, one death previously counted as due to the virus has been determined not to be a COVID-19-related death and “has been removed from the death count.”
Thursday’s new deaths include a 91-year-old woman from Jefferson County, an 87-year-old man from Logan County and a 79-year-old man from Perry County.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, 2,482 (18.8 percent) victims have been hospitalized, with 400 patients in a hospital. To date, 975 (7.4 percent) people have been treated in ICU, with 68 victims currently in intensive care.
At least 3,506 (26.6 percent) Kentuckians have recovered from the virus, and 336,267 COVID-19 tests have been administered in Kentucky.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
