On Thursday, Gov. Andy Beshear reported 4,891 new COVID cases were diagnosed in Kentucky over the previous 24 hours.
Of the new cases, 1,416 (29 percent) are children 18 and younger. Kentucky has now had 644,563 coronavirus cases diagnosed since the beginning of the pandemic.
Beshear announced 62 new deaths, giving the state 235 deaths over the last nine days. The new deaths increase Kentucky’s death toll to 8,206 (1.3 percent fatality rate).
Officials said the percentage of Kentuckians ages 30 to 49 dying from COVID has increased fivefold since May, as that age group now accounts for 11 percent of COVID-related deaths.
Beshear additionally noted that the number of ICU beds available in Kentucky has fallen below 100, with 93 adult ICU beds currently open. Furthermore, the governor said 66 of 96 acute care hospitals in the state have critical staff shortages.
While officials said 2,453 people are hospitalized, down 40 from Wednesday, there are 667 patients in ICUs, up 19. People on ventilators also rose from Wednesday’s 436 to 448 on Thursday.
The positivity rate dropped slightly from Wednesday’s 13.02 percent to 13 percent on Thursday.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
