Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear reported 628 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday, while urging people to encourage those they know to get vaccinated against the virus.
Nearly 1.7 million people have gotten at least the first dose of the vaccine, which the governor says he believes is a little low due to errors in the reporting system—that leaves about 800,000 Kentuckians left to go to reach the goal of 2.5 million vaccinated persons. There has been a decrease in people getting the vaccine, leaving a lot of supply available, and Governor Beshear says that number must change if we want to beat this pandemic.
The positivity rate is at 3.36 percent, and the governor reported 8 new COVID-19 related deaths, putting the death toll at 6,381.
The trends show that the state is at a plateau, but if we’re not careful and more people don’t get vaccinated, it could become a fourth wave of increases. That’s according to Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack, who says these shots are our ticket back to normal life.
General Counsel Amy Cubbage says they’ve seen great success at their in-person facilities to address unemployment issues, and more appointments will become available soon.
The governor announced infrastructure funding set to benefit multiple communities, including $341,300 set to go to Hopkinsville and $140,000 for Cadiz—the funds are set to be used for revive, repair and build roads statewide.
The Tennessee Department of Health reported 2,008 new COVID-19 cases there, along with 19 new deaths—the positivity rate in the Volunteer State is 6.34 percent.