More than 2,000 in hospital, almost 600 in ICU as COVID surge rages in state

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – The numbers aren’t getting any better. In fact, they continue to get worse.

The state reported new highs or near-highs in several COVID categories Tuesday and the delta variant continues to surge across the state and nation.

In a social media post, Gov. Andy Beshear called it a “dire” report.

Today I am sharing another dire report in our battle against COVID-19, with 4,638 newly reported cases – the fifth highest report since the pandemic began.

“I am also sad to report 17 new deaths and a record number of hospitalizations, people in the ICU and Kentuckians on ventilators. Folks, this is dangerous. Please, get vaccinated and mask up indoors,” Beshear said on social media.

In its daily report, the state report 4,638 new cases, the fifth-highest day since the pandemic began. That brings the state’s total to 547,657 cases.

Of the new cases, 1,335 are in people 18 and under.

The 17 deaths marked the second straight day the number of deaths are in double digits. The state now has lost 7,575 people to COVID-related causes.

The positivity rate also continues to edge upwards, rising to 12.89% from 12.87% Monday.

All the other key barometers also climbed to new highs. The number of people in the hospital topped 2,000 at 2,014, up from 1,893 Monday; 589 are in intensive care, up from 529 Monday; and 338 are on ventilators, up from 301 Monday.

Beshear said in other COVID-19 surges, Kentucky’s hospitals, emergency medical services (EMS) and health care systems were able to adapt and expand to take care of patients. However, with the surge from the delta variant, some of the state’s systems are in severe distress and facing collapse.

In addition to record numbers of patients, the available pool of licensed health care providers has decreased due to attrition and extreme demand across the country.

For those reasons, Beshear is submitting a resource request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for additional health care professionals to help where Kentucky needs them most.

“We’ve requested eight teams that include eight registered nurses and two certified nursing assistants per team. We’ve also requested two EMS strike teams, which include personnel and trucks,” he said. “Our hospitals need this support, and we will do what it takes to make it happen. Until then, we need everyone to wear a mask indoors and get vaccinated. We hope FEMA will approve this request quickly.”

If federal approval is received, medical teams will support:

• St. Claire Regional Medical Center;
• Pikeville Medical Center;
• Saint Joseph London;
• The Medical Center at Bowling Green; and
• Baptist Health Hardin.

In addition, on Aug. 18, President Joe Biden extended reimbursement to states for mobilizing National Guard personnel in support of COVID-19 response efforts beyond the original deadline of Sept. 30, through the end of the calendar year.

“In Kentucky, this means we’ll have our Kentucky Guardsmen continuing to help combat the surge we’re seeing due to the delta variant,” said Beshear. “Our Kentucky Guardsmen have been on mission since March 2020 to help our commonwealth combat COVID-19, and we’re appreciative of their continued support.”

The Kentucky National Guard will provide logistical and administrative support to local hospitals beginning Sept. 1. There will be a dedicated National Guard central command for this mission and deployments will be in two-week increments.

The initial deployment will include 75 Guardsmen, in five teams of 15 people.

Starting locations are:

• The Medical Center at Bowling Green;
• St. Claire Regional Medical Center, Morehead; and
• Pikeville Medical Center.

Other Kentucky National Guard fall missions include:

• Mobile Vaccination Teams (local schools, universities, detention centers, among others);
• Supporting local health departments; and
• Food bank support.

The governor continued to encourage all Kentuckians 12 and older to get a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine and then sign up for a chance to win $1 million or a full college scholarship at ShotAtAMillion.ky.gov. Two $1 million winners and 10 full-scholarship winners were announced on July 2 and July 30. On Aug. 27, another $1 million winner and five more full-scholarship winners will be announced.

“Our last Shot at a Million drawing is this Thursday. We’ve had almost 100,000 new entries since our last drawing and I hope even more people will get vaccinated and sign up in the next two days,” he said.

More than 850,000 Kentuckians 18 and over have entered to win a million dollars and nearly 50,000 youth ages 12 to 17 have entered for their chance to receive a full scholarship to a Kentucky public college, university, trade or technical school.