State’s positivity, new case numbers show no sign of leveling off

August 20, 2021

Steve Rogers,

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – The state’s COVID positivity rate continued its steady climb Thursday, rising to 12.8% from 12.75% Thursday.

And while that was a new high, the only comfort is the increase was not as big as it has been during most of the last month.

The state’s Friday report included 3,869 new COVID cases and six new deaths. Of the new cases, 1,158 are in people 18 and under. That is down from 1,275 Thursday.

The new cases pushed the state’s total to 534,430.

The state also reported 2,444,573 Kentuckians vaccinated. KyCovid19.Ky.gov

While down from Thursday’s near record, Friday’s new case count still was up from 3,576 cases Wednesday when the positivity rate was 12.59%.

In addition to the six new deaths, the state added 34 other deaths as a result of an ongoing review of older death certificates to determine whether they were COVID-related.

With the new numbers, the state now has logged 7,517 deaths since the pandemic began in March 2020.

The hospitalizations and related numbers also continue a rapid climb, with 1,780 people in the hospital, up from 1,708 Thursday, 1,658 people Wednesday, 1,603 Tuesday, 1,528 Monday, 1,424 reported last Friday, 1,371 people last Thursday, 1,327 last Wednesday, and 1,251 last Tuesday.

In addition, 487 people are in ICU, up from 481 Thursday, 466 Wednesday, 441 Tuesday, 429 Monday, 391 last Friday, 357 last Thursday, 363 last Wednesday, 339 last Tuesday, and 331 last Monday.

Meanwhile, 255 people are on a ventilator, up from 242 Thursday, 229 people Wednesday, 238 Tuesday, 224 Monday, 185 last Friday, 169 last Thursday and Wednesday, and 168 last Tuesday.