Kentucky gained another 2,841 cases of COVID-19 Thursday, along with 40 deaths as health officials say they’re keeping an eye on the omicron variant.
In some good news, Governor Beshear says 60 percent of Kentuckians have now been vaccinated against COVID-19, saying while they can always use more, it’s a milestone to be proud of. The governor reported they are seeing an increase in both new cases and the positivity rate, along with the number of hospitalizations.
There was a jump in the positivity rate from Wednesday to Thursday, from 8.56 percent to 9.20 percent.
Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack says he knows the news about omicron is concerning, but he urged people not panic, saying we know the best methods of fighting any form of coronavirus well by this point.
He explained the mutations in omicron that have people so concerned could possibly allow it to be more contagious to those who have both vaccinated or natural immunity—he says there’s still too much unknown to say for sure at the moment.
The governor and Dr. Stack said it is more important than ever to get vaccinated and boosted, with all Kentucky adults eligible to receive a vaccination booster, wear a mask in indoor public settings, get tested after experiencing symptoms and stay home when you’re feeling sick.