KENTUCKY — Gov. Andy Beshear announced Kentucky's highest-ever daily total and highest-ever weekly total of new COVID-19 cases. On Saturday, he announced 1,275 new cases.

“I know it's been a tough couple of days, seeing the President, the First Lady, U.S. Senators, Cam Newton and others test positive for COVID-19. But right here in the commonwealth, we now have 1,275 new cases announced today, meaning 1,275 Kentuckians have just tested positive,” said Beshear. “This is our highest number of cases ever. This is the highest number of cases per week ever and we have one more day that will add to the count, and it shows that we have to do better.”

Saturday's new cases bring the state's total up to at 72,001 coronavirus cases in the Commonwealth. According to Beshear, of the new cases, 166 came from those age 18 and younger while 27 came from those age five and younger. The youngest of the new cases is two months old.

“I need your help. We are seeing the coronavirus surging around the country. We are in another escalation here in Kentucky,” Beshear said. “We have got to do what it takes to stop it, and that's all of us. No more being casual; time to be urgent. We are Team Kentucky. We can beat this. We will get through it and we will get through it together.”

Beshear also announced eight new deaths Saturday. Kentucky's COVID-19 death toll now stands at 1,205.

“That’s eight additional families who are suffering during this time,” said Beshear.

Saturday's reported deaths include a 66-year-old woman and an 89-year-old man from Christian County; a 75-year-old woman from Fayette County; two men, ages 80 and 89, from Jefferson County; two women, ages 76 and 86, from Lincoln County; and a 64-year-old woman from Mercer County.

As of Saturday, at least 1,520,236 COVID-19 tests have been administered, according to Beshear. The positivity rate is at 4.74%, and there are 12,121 known recoveries, Beshear said.