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Kentucky posts record number of COVID-19 cases and highest positivity rate as Omicron variant quickly spreads

Steven Stack.
Screenshot
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Gov. Andy Beshear/Youtube
Steven Stack.

Kentucky officials say the omicron variant now likely makes up the majority of cases in the commonwealth.

On Monday, the state’s COVID-19 positivity rate was 20 point seven two percent, the highest rate recorded since the pandemic began.

Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, said the omicron variant is more contagious than previous variants.

“This virus is like measles. Measles is the most contagious known viral infection on the planet Earth for a very long time” he said. “And the only comparison that we can make for Omicron that seems even remotely apropos, is that it’s like measles.”

Stack also urged schools to require masks as students return from the holidays.

Last week, Kentucky saw more than 6,400 cases in a single day. The state’s previous highest number of cases was recorded nearly a year ago.

Corinne Boyer is the health reporter for the ReSource. Previously, she covered western Kansas for the Kansas News Service at High Plains Public Radio. She received two Kansas Association of Broadcasters awards for her reporting on immigrant communities. Before living on the High Plains, Corinne was a newspaper reporter in Oregon. She earned her master’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon and interned at KLCC, Eugene’s NPR member station. Corinne grew up near the South Carolina coast and is a graduate of the College of Charleston. She has lived in New York City and South Korea. Corinne loves running, checking out stacks of books and spending time with her rescue cat, Priya.
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