Gov. Andy Beshear on Friday announced 2,608 new coronavirus cases were confirmed in Kentucky over the previous 24 hours.
The new cases increase the state’s COVID-19 victim count to 358,478 (about one case per 12.2 Kentucky residents).
Counties reporting the most cases on Friday include Jefferson (360), Fayette (194), Kenton (133), Daviess (114), Boone (98), and Campbell (89).
Officials reported 57 deaths, the third deadliest day in the commonwealth since the beginning of the pandemic, and raising the death toll to 3,668 (one percent fatality rate). The state has now had 607 COVID-19 deaths over the last two weeks days, an average of 43.4 per day.
The rolling seven-day positivity rate dropped below nine percent for the first time in 2021 as the metric checked in at 8.75 percent on Friday.
“Our declining positivity rate shows that Kentuckians are continuing to make those small sacrifices we’ve been talking about all year in order to protect each other until we get enough vaccines for everyone who wants one,” Beshear said. “Wearing masks around people from different households, social distancing, washing their hands, staying home when they can and getting tested regularly. It’s the simple things you’re probably sick of hearing about by now that can make the biggest difference as we near the finish line.”
Hospitalizations fell by 56 patients to 1,505, while intensive care patients dropped by 15 to 355. Victims on ventilators decreased by six people to 199.
Since the onset of the pandemic, 16,546 (4.6 percent) people have been hospitalized, with 3,547 (one percent) patients treated in intensive care.
At least 43,052 (12 percent) Kentuckians have recovered from the virus, and over four million COVID-19 tests have been administered in the state.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
