Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced the single highest day of new COVID-19 cases in Kentucky since the pandemic began Wednesday.
There were 1,346 new cases from Tuesday to Wednesday, putting the overall total in the Commonwealth at 83,013—the positivity rate is now at 4.72 percent. Governor Beshear says no one is happy to see that number, it shows that the virus is still spreading rapidly in the state, and the escalation must be stopped now.
There are now 711 Kentuckians hospitalized, which the governor says is concerning, along with an increase of those who are now on a ventilator. Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack explained how they’ll be collecting data and reporting the positivity rate moving forward.
Seven more Kentuckians have died of the virus, putting that total at 1,276—approximately 1.7 million tests have been administered across the state.
The Tennessee Department of Health is reporting 1,709 new COVID-19 cases in the Volunteer State, and 31 new deaths. Montgomery County added 31 new cases, Robertson saw six and Stewart County gained four.