FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky reported its highest number of deaths from COVID-19 in a single day on Thursday, shattering a record set earlier this month.

54 deaths were reported Thursday, up from the previous record of 37 reported on Dec. 2.

3,349 new cases were reported along with a seven-day positivity rate of 8.45 percent, both numbers that are down from this point last week.

“What it says for Christmas is we need, we need to make sure that we do it right; that we understand that it can be a super-spreader event,” Beshear said. “But I also think that people have had a longer time to see how dangerous the situation that we are in truly is, and so I’ve got a lot of confidence that most Kentuckians are going to do Christmas right, knowing a vaccine is out there, and how tragic would it be because we want a larger group for Christmas, if we lost somebody we cared about just months before they could get vaccinated.”

The state released guidance for the upcoming holiday during Thursday’s briefing, most of which has already been recommended, like wearing masks, social distancing, and avoiding large gatherings or parties.

Kentucky Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack said not traveling anywhere is also recommended.

“This is the third large escalation of disease in the United States. It is much more quick. It is also much more sustained; it’s eight weeks that we have not yet reached the peak,” Stack said. “And it is also much more widespread across the country, so at this point, traveling and mixing with other people with whom you don’t live with is markedly elevating the risk of spreading disease.”

Beshear has said he doesn’t plan on implementing any new restrictions before Christmas.