Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear reported 2,947 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday, and gave more information about the regional vaccine rollout plan.
Governor Beshear says Thursday’s report was a mixed bag of news, with the 2,947 new cases actually the lowest number of new cases reported on a Thursday in some time. He says trends continue to show a decline and that’s great—but unfortunately, he reported 69 new deaths, a record high for the state. The governor says that’s partially due to those surges in spread from the holiday time period and due to results coming in from the COVID-19 death committee.
He announced the location of the first phase of regional vaccine facilities in the state, with more locations to open in the coming weeks—he says his administration is committed to getting the vaccine to as many people as possible as quickly as possible.
The Christian County Health Department site at the Bruce Convention Center is listed as an existing site on a map released Thursday.
The state vaccine distribution plan remains in phases 1A and 1B—no details have been provided on a timeline for when phase 1C will begin. A new website is launching to help people find available vaccines near their location, and it launched Thursday afternoon at vaccine.ky.gov. It includes a telephone number to call at 855-598-2246.
Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack says around 100,000 individuals who are ages 70 and up in the state have gotten the shot, with around 400,000 left to be vaccinated in that age group if they so wish.
The Tennessee Department of Health reported 1,777 new cases there, along with 101 new deaths, bringing the death toll in the Volunteer State up to 9,417.
