COVID case numbers, positivity fall, ICU capacity at 100% in one region

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – The state’s COVID case numbers and major indicators continue to show signs of moderating but more work remains to avoid a renewed spike.

According to the its daily report, the state recorded 2,510 new cases Thursday, down from 3,893 new cases Wednesday. Of the new cases, 729 were in people 18 and under.

The daily total pushed the number since March 2020 to 691,363.

The state reported 53 deaths which raised the total lost to COVID-related causes to 8,770.

The positivity rate continues to hover around 10 percent at 10.08% which was near Wednesday’s 10.05% but still below the 10.4% Tuesday and 10.55% Monday.

Other key barometers of the spread of virus and its impact in communities also continued a slow fall.

A total of 1,976 people are in the hospital, down from 1,995 Wednesday, 2,006 Tuesday and 2,045 Monday. Of those, 566 are in ICU, down from 573 Wednesday, 588 Tuesday and 617 Monday, and 381 people are on a ventilator, down from 384 Wednesday, 399 Tuesday and 395 Monday.

Statewide, ventilator capacity use has dropped below 50% in all but two of 10 regions and in-patient capacity use is below 70% in seven of 10 regions, but ICU capacity use remains above 80 percent in seven out of 10 regions,. Six of the 10 regions are above 90 percent and Region 6 is at 100%.