State’s COVID numbers top 1,600, positivity closer to 9%

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – New COVID cases in Kentucky topped 1,600 Thursday and the positivity rate continued its precipitous climb.

The number of people in the hospital, on ventilators and in the ICU also continues up, but even with the numbers, Gov. Andy Beshear’s recommendations that schools and other groups follow CDC guidelines for masks have drawn backlash from some.

In Thursday’s daily report, the state listed 1,618 new cases. The numbers brought the total number of cases in the state to 481,001.

The number of counties in the ‘red’ category for high incidence rates continues to climb, going from 28 to 36 to 40 in the last three days. The state now has 48 counties in the ‘orange’ category and just 18 in ‘yellow’ and four in ‘green.’

The positivity rate rose to 8.55%, up from 8.29% Wednesday and 8.11% Tuesday.

Of the new cases, 328 are in people 18 and younger.

The state reported two new coronavirus-related deaths, bringing Kentucky’s total death toll since the pandemic began in March 2020 to 7,327.

The state reported 608 people hospitalized, up from 571 Wednesday and 520 Tuesday; 189 in ICU, up from 185 Wednesday and 175 Tuesday; and 82 on a ventilator, down from 84 Wednesday and Tuesday.