Kentucky gained 3,349 new cases of COVID-19, and had a record high 54 deaths Thursday, with Governor Andy Beshear reporting that shipments of COVID-19 vaccines continue to come in.
That brings the overall total of cases in the Commonwealth up to 234,021, with the positivity rate at 8.45 percent, down from the day prior. Governor Beshear says they will soon receive a new shipment of Pfizer vaccines, and even though the amount of shots is smaller than expected, it’s still very much exciting news.
He says a vaccine positive campaign will soon be going out to help build confidence in the shot and what it can do not just for the health of individuals, but the health of the economy, schools and more.
Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack is recommending for people to only gather with their immediate household this Christmas, to keep the escalation of cases from flaring back up.
There was a record number of COVID-19 related deaths in Kentucky, with 54 new deaths reported—that puts the death toll at 2,316. Governor Beshear says that a rise in deaths follows a rise in cases, much like Kentucky experienced recently, and he urged everyone to be extra-careful heading into the holidays.
The Tennessee Department of Health reported 8,945 new coronavirus cases, along with 177 deaths, an all-time high for the Volunteer State. Approximately 2,897 Tennesseans are currently hospitalized.