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COVID numbers, positivity rate show increase in Kentucky

Hospitalizations are down from previous week

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – The number of COVID-19 cases in Kentucky continues to rise, as does the state’s positivity rate, according to Monday’s weekly report. However, the number of deaths as well as the number people hospitalized saw a decline.

A total of 8,127 new cases were reported to state public health officials for the seven-day period ending Sunday, compared to 6,443 the previous week. Since the first one was reported on March 6, 2020, Kentucky has now had 1,347,647 confirmed COVID cases.

Fifteen counties had more than 100 cases last week. Jefferson led with 2,989, Fayette 779, Hardin 201, Kenton 160, Madison 149, McCracken 146, Oldham 146, Bullitt 137, Scott 135, Boone 132, Campbell 115, Franklin 104, Jessamine and Pike 103 each, and Warren 101.

The current positivity rate stands at 10.52%, the first time it has been topped 10% in several months. On the report for the April 25, it was just 4.35%, while at the end of March, Kentucky’s positivity rate was 2.29%.

On the plus side, the number of COVID-related deaths in Kentucky dropped to 79 over the past seven days, which is down from 96 the previous week. However, 15,909 people in the state have now lost their lives due to COVID, since the start of the pandemic.

The hospital census is also recording a drop in patients. A total of 264 people are now hospitalized in Kentucky.  Of them, 23 are in the ICU and six on a ventilator. This compares with the previous week’s total of 340 hospitalizations, 30 in intensive care and nine on a ventilator.

Last week, state Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack noted that the increase in cases is not translating in the same proportions to serious or severe illness or death as they had been, saying the current variant while more widespread, is not as severe as previous ones.

However, he added, “COVID is still a serious disease. It’s really important that you get vaccinated and stay boosted with your vaccine, and if you haven’t decided to get vaccinated, please reconsider that.  It is the safest way to lower your risk to yourself and others around you.”     

Federal regulators this past week approved an emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine booster to be administered to children who are ages 5-11.

For the latest information on the COVID-19 pandemic in Kentucky and more guidance, go to the Department for Public Health’s website, at http://kycovid19.ky.gov/.

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