KENTUCKY — Gov. Andy Beshear announced the commonwealth has surpassed 200,000 positive COVID-19 tests exactly nine months after the state's first recorded infection.
What You Need To Know
- Kentucky has officially eclipsed 200,000 positive COVID-19 cases
- Beshear also announced 10 new deaths Sunday
- The rate of growth appears to be slowing, according to Beshear
- FDA meets Dec. 10 to discuss authorization for Pfizer's vaccine
The Kentucky Department of Public Health reported 2,567 new cases and 10 new deaths on Sunday. The seven-day rolling positivity rate has lowered slightly to 9.75%.
Beshear urged Kentuckians to redouble their efforts in the interest of public health, but also said there is a bright side to today's news.
"While this is our highest week ever, the rate of growth does appear to be slowing. In other words, our increase from the last couple of weeks is less than what we have been seeing. Certainly, our hope is that we are slowing down this train and are moving at least to a new plateau,” Beshear said.
"So even on a tough day, possibly some good news. That should make all of us want to work that much harder knowing that we can impact this thing, that it is within our control and that a vaccine – two vaccines – are just around the corner.”
And around the corner they are. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is set to meet this week to discuss authorization of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine. If approved, Kentucky could see vaccines delivered as soon as Dec. 15.
“The imminent distribution of COVID-19 vaccine in the upcoming weeks should help put this pandemic in the past, but the coming weeks remain critical and come with sacrifices,” said Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Department of Public Health. “We must make good decisions every day and protect fellow Kentuckians by wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and staying home if we are sick. Doing so will save lives."
Today's updated COVID-19 numbers can be found below:
- New cases today: 2,567
- New deaths today: 10
- Positivity rate: 9.75%
- Total deaths: 2,072
- Currently hospitalized: 1,673
- Currently in ICU: 401
- Currently on ventilator: 214
Related Stories
- FDA Advisers To Meet on Dec. 10, First Vaccine Doses Could Go Out In Days After
- Lexington Hospital Ready To Receive Vaccines After Successful Trial Distribution Run
- Official: Will Have Enough Doses to Vaccinate Vulnerable Populations By March
- Coronavirus Vaccine Questions, Explored: How Does it Work, and Are There Side Effects?
Bryce Shreve is a digital producer with Spectrum News 1 KY. He is a recent graduate of Indiana University Southeast and joined the staff in November, 2020.