Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear on Friday announced the highest number of daily COVID-19 cases in the state since the pandemic began, with 3,173 newly reported cases. Beshear also reported 25 new deaths, another record daily high. Beshear said that there’s a continuous surge of cases in the commonwealth “that is concerning and deadly” and the “power to stop it is in our hands.”
The governor also reported 1,358 currently hospitalized with the virus, 307 Kentuckians in ICU, and 147 on ventilators. The positivity test rate in the state is 8.68%.
The top counties with the highest number of positive cases on Friday are Jefferson County with 630, Fayette County with 221, and Hardin County with 133.
Beshear said the community spread of COVID-19 continues to hit the state’s most vulnerable, with deaths including 12 women between the ages 65 to 93 years old, and 13 men between the ages 62 to 88 years old.
The governor reported another veteran died at the Thomson-Hood Veterans Center, bringing the total number of cases at the center up to 86, with 24 deaths. 48 recovered, five hospitalized, and nine being treated at home.
Beshear continued to emphasize the state’s mask mandate and the “red zone” county recommendations.