FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky’s COVID-19 test positivity rate rose to almost 3.1% after declining steadily for several days, Gov. Andy Beshear reported Friday. The positivity rested right at 3% as of Saturday afternoon.

This development comes after the governor urged Kentuckians to continue to follow public health guidelines that slow the spread of the virus, even as vaccines become more widely available.

“This thing is still dangerous. It’s still killing people, and it still is going to continue to kill people until we stop it,” Beshear said Monday at a virtual press briefing. “If we want to avoid another rise in cases here in Kentucky, and we can do that, we’ve just got to keep it up.”

The test positivity rate is an indicator of the extent of the spread of the virus. If the rate is less than 5% for two weeks and testing is widespread, the virus is considered under control, according to the World Health Organization.

Kentucky reported 587 confirmed coronavirus cases and eight virus-related deaths Saturday. Some 368 Kentuckians are currently hospitalized with COVID-19.

Starting Monday, residents 16 and older will become eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. The state’s vaccination program is currently in phase 1C, which includes people 40 and older, anyone older than 16 with high-risk medical conditions and anyone deemed an essential worker.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal. The vast majority of people recover.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.