Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Tuesday during a COVID-19 briefing the second day of initial vaccine deliveries have shown the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine to be 94-95% effective with minimal side effects, calling it a “modern day medical miracle.”
Beshear said later this week, biotechnology company Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine will likely be authorized for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration, meaning shipments of the vaccine could begin as early as next Monday.
The governor also said the number of new confirmed cases are lower than past two Tuesdays, reporting 2,946 new cases with a test positivity rate of 8.53%. The number of cases reported Tuesday of last week were 3,114 cases, with 4,151 cases reported two weeks ago on Tuesday. However, hospitalizations in the state continue to increase, with 1,788 patients total, 438 patients in the ICU, and an additional 246 patients on ventilators.
The three counties with the highest number of cases Tuesdayare Jefferson County with 418, Fayette County with 162, and Warren County at 123.
Beshear reported 15 new deaths due to COVID-19, with 309 new confirmed cases in long-term care facilities.
The Calloway County Health Department reported Tuesday 12 new cases and 1 new death related to the virus. There have been 2,056 total cases in the county, with 1,899 cases recovered, 112 isolated at home, 13 hospitalized. The new death brings the total number of deaths in the county to 32.
To illustrate the potential dangers of COVID-19, Kentucky Public Health Commissioner Steven Stack presented graphs during Tuesday’s press conference, comparing Kentucky’s response to the virus to other states including Florida and South Dakota. Beshear said other states have had more death due to COVID-19 because of limited action by those governors to control the virus.
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice was vaccinated during a livestream on Monday, and Beshear said he expects to do the same thing next week to build confidence in the safety of the vaccine.
Beshear recognized vaccine distribution will be challenging, and he said his biggest concern is “preaching patience.” He said it will take time to be able to provide everyone with the vaccine.
He also said the goal is to have vaccinated all willing long-term care residents and staff members by March 1, considering that these facilities contribute to 66% of Kentucky’s deaths.
In other news, Beshear said the state’s Eviction Relief Fund has had an additional 50 requests, amounting around $150,000. The fund provides tenants with funding to prevent evictions and provides funding to landlords to compensate for rent back payments. Beshear said the state will continue to keep the fund’s online portal open, as there is still $1.4 million left to spend. As of Sept. 8, $12.3 million has been distributed to 3,254 Kentucky households.
Behsear said the state’s Food and Beverage Relief Fund received approximately 4,300 applications, amounting to $30.2 million in aid for restaurants that had to close during the in-person dining ban to prevent COVID-19 spread. The governor made it clear this reimbursement is not a loan but a grant, meaning restaurants and bars are not expected to pay it back. This money is geared to go toward rent, employee salaries, PPE, and other inventory. The deadline to apply to the fund is midnight of Dec. 18.
Beshear also congratulated the joint business venture, between iwis engine systems LLC and Daido Corp. of America, that plans to create 37 jobs in Murray. The venture announced a $2.7 million investment to boost production for major vehicle manufacturers. This investment is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.
Stack reported that the current surge of COVID-19 cases in the state has lasted for approximately eight weeks and has yet to reach its national peak, meaning the surge could get worse compared to previous surges.
Stack said the state has seen nine days of decreasing in the test positivity rate, along with the number of new daily COVID-19 cases plateauing.
Stack encouraged families to gather with those only in their own household for the upcoming holidays and to support local businesses when possible. He said travel is not recommended until further notice, and that it is important to avoid public spaces and indoor settings as vaccine distribution begins.
“The beginning of the end of this epidemic is upon us,” Stack said.
