FRANKFORT, Ky. — Coronavirus cases in Kentucky appear to be on the downward trend the last few days, although hospital capacity is a concern for the Commonwealth.


What You Need To Know

  • New state data shows which parts of Ky. are struggling with hospital beds

  • Some regions up to roughly 90% ICU bed occupancy or more

  • Beshear says high occupancy rates may mean moving patients to other parts of the state

  • Beshear says he doesn't expect to run out of ventilators in any region

Gov. Andy Beshear reported 3,114 coronavirus cases Tuesday — 1,037 fewer cases than Tuesday of last week — along with 20 new deaths from COVID-19 and a seven-day positivity rate of 9.56%.

“The growth in cases appears to be slowing, and we hope that continues throughout the rest of the week,” Beshear said.

The state released new data showing which parts of the state are struggling with hospital beds.

The new data breaks down Kentucky into 10 regions.

Region 6, which encompasses Northern Kentucky, has 87.6% of inpatient beds in use and 78.4% of ICU beds occupied.

Several southern and eastern regions also have high occupancy rates in terms of ICU beds: Region 10, which includes Cumberland and Russell counties, has a 95.7% ICU bed occupancy rate; Region 8, which includes Pike County, has 90.4% of ICU beds occupied; Region 4, which includes Monroe and Warren counties, has 88.8% occupancy.

Region 5, which includes Lexington and the surrounding area, has a 73.8% inpatient bed occupancy rate and 72.4% ICU bed occupancy rate. Region 3, which includes Jefferson County, has a 59.4% inpatient bed occupancy rate and 66.2% ICU bed occupancy rate.

Beshear said the high occupancy rate means some hospitals will have to move patients to other parts of the state.

“I know that people are ready and willing and able to help and we are seeing more cooperation between hospitals and hospital systems than I can ever recall seeing,” Beshear said. “They have been willing to step up to this challenge and throw out all the old norms and it’s really a credit to them.”

Beshear said he doesn’t expect to run out of ventilators in any region.