Kentucky getting more vaccine, UK variant in commonwealth

Two cases of the United Kingdom variant of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Kentucky as Governor Andy Beshear learned Tuesday that the commonwealth will see an increase to its vaccine supply.

The governor says the allotment is being increased by 17 percent and the federal government is also helping with planning.

He says confirmation that the more contagious UK strain of the virus is in Kentucky was not unexpected.

Governor Beshear announced 2,714 new cases—more than last Tuesday, but less than two weeks ago—and 35 more deaths.

The positivity rate fell again to 9.63 percent, 1,566 Kentuckians are in the hospital with the virus, 391 are in the ICU and 228 are on a ventilator.

Tennessee had 1,979 new cases and a record 192 deaths. There are 2,025 Tennesseans in the hospital with the virus and the Volunteer State’s positivity rate is 10.75 percent.