LEXINGTON, Ky (WKYT) – Gov. Andy Beshear announced new COVID-19 numbers for Christmas Eve, Christmas Eve and the day after.
There were 764 new cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky on Saturday. The state total now stands at 255,563 cases. The state positivity rate is now 8.04%. Health officials say this day is lower for the Christmas holidays. The top counties with the most positive cases on Saturday are Jefferson and Fayette.
The governor also reported four new deaths on Saturday. This brings the total number of COVID-19-related deaths in Kentucky to 2,534.
“The number of deaths we will announce today is really heartbreaking: another alarm call. But the good news is that our positivity rate continues to decline. It was even less than eight percent on Christmas Day, ”Governor Beshear said. “This means that our sacrifices are changing. Thank you for taking the holidays this year differently to protect each other. We continue to work hard so that we don’t have more days like today when we have to announce that we have lost so many of our neighbors, family and friends.
Among those reported to have lost the virus on Saturday are a 71-year-old woman from Hart County; a 99-year-old man from Jefferson County; a 94-year-old woman from Monroe County; and a 76-year-old man from Simpson County.
Currently, at least 1,511 Kentuckians are hospitalized, with 396 in the ICU and 237 with ventilators.
On Friday, 1,803 cases of COVID-19 were reported. The positivity rate was slightly lower than in previous days, with 7.95%.
The governor’s office says 11 people died on Friday as a result of the virus. Among those lost was an 84-year-old man from Anderson County; a 71-year-old woman from Barren County; a 60-year-old man from Cumberland County; a 71-year-old woman from Franklin County; a 71-year-old woman from Hopkins County; an 87-year-old woman from Logan County; an 81-year-old woman from Madison County; two men, ages 62 and 91, from McCracken County; a 58-year-old man from Monroe County; and an 85-year-old woman from Pulaski County.
2,742 new cases of coronavirus were reported on Thursday. Thursday’s figures include the second highest number of deaths reported in the state with 53 Kentuckians lost to the virus.
Among those who reported the loss of the virus on Thursday were a 67-year-old man from Boyle County; a 72-year-old woman from Breckinridge County; two men, aged 55 and 74, of Bullitt County; a 77-year-old man from Campbell County; two women, ages 90 and 91, and an 89-year-old man from Christian County; a 71-year-old woman from Cumberland County; two men, aged 63 and 65, of Daviess county; an 82-year-old woman from Floyd County; an 83-year-old man from Franklin County; an 84-year-old woman from Graves County; a 94-year-old woman and an 87-year-old man from Grayson County; a 100-year-old woman from Hardin County; four women, ages 67, 74, 92, and 94, and two men, ages 74 and 77, from Hopkins County; an 85-year-old woman and three men, aged 70, 80 and 90, from Jefferson County; two men, ages 74 and 89, from Jessamine County; three women, ages 64, 68, and 73, from Madison County; a 69-year-old woman from Mason County; two men, aged 73 and 77, of Monroe County; two women, aged 77 and 90, from Muhlenberg County; a 77-year-old woman from Ohio County; a 91-year-old man from Owen County; three women, ages 52, 87, and 90, and two men, ages 90 and 91, from Pulaski County; a 66-year-old woman from Rockcastle County; three women, ages 86, 87, and 90, from Russell County; two women, ages 82 and 84, from Taylor County; an 86-year-old man from Trigg County; a 73-year-old man from Warren County; and a 65-year-old woman from Wolfe County.
“Many Kentuckians found new ways to celebrate Christmas yesterday, including limiting their face-to-face interactions with others,” Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Public Health. “Your sacrifices are grateful and a gift of kindness to your loved ones and your neighbors, as we prevent this terrible disease from spreading more quickly. Make sure you are familiar with the symptoms of this virus and, if you do not feel well, stay home until you are better or consult a healthcare professional. ”
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