4,009 new COVID cases, positivity nears 12%, 12 deaths, 2 in their 30s: State

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – After a minimal pause on Thursday, the COVID surge roared forward Friday with startling new numbers.

It sparked another impassioned plea from Gov. Andy Beshear.

And the numbers in Friday’s report are grim, including 4,009 new cases, 20 times the 200 new cases recorded just 31 days ago.

The positivity rate climbed to 11.83%, up from 11.57% Thursday, 11.22% Wednesday and 11.05% Tuesday.

Of the new cases, 929 are in people 18 and under, 50 percent more than the 606 reported Thursday when the state had 2,713 new cases. Earlier in the week the state reported 2,961 cases Wednesday and 2,500 Tuesday.

Friday’s number pushed the total cases in the state since the outbreak began to 512,224.

The state reported 12 new coronavirus-related deaths, including a 31-year-old in Warren County and a 37-year-old in Henderson County. The state’s death toll rose to 7,426.

The hospitalizations and related numbers also continue a rapid climb, with 1,424 people reported Friday, up from 1,371 people Thursday, 1,327 Wednesday, 1,251 Tuesday, 1,139 people Monday, 976 Friday, 939 people last Thursday, 889 last Wednesday, 824 last Tuesday and 625 just 14 days ago.