LEXINGTON, Ky. — Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton, along with the Urban County Council, held the weekly COVID-19 update for Fayette County Wednesday morning. As of Oct. 21, Fayette County has recorded over 10,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 91 deaths. 


What You Need To Know

  • Fayette County records 10,000+ COVID-19 cases, 91 deaths as of Oct. 21

  • Positive cases decreasing on college campuses

  • Long term care facilities see increase in positive cases

  • Lexington Mayor says Gov. Andy Beshear is planning for increase in cases this fall

Over the past few weeks, Lexington has seen a decrease in case numbers. Kevin Hall with the Fayette County Health Department says this has a lot to do with the positive cases decreasing on college campuses. 

Although the university numbers are going down, long term care facilities are seeing an increase in positive cases. The health department says this could be bad because Kentuckians in the facilities are at a higher risk if they contract the virus and typically have an underlying health condition.

“The residents aren't the ones spreading and bringing it into the facilities, its staff members, its visitors, it's people from the community coming in,” Hall said.

Gorton says Gov. Andy Beshear is planning for an increase in COVID-19 cases this fall. As hospitals deal with both flu and coronavirus cases, health officials are preparing for the worst-case scenarios. 

“The governor is preparing for the surge that everyone believes is coming. And some of the hospitals on our healthcare think it's already here. So I just wanted to tell you that from his perspective, he's getting revved up again for a surge,” Gorton said. 

Hall says the Fayette County Health Department has been in close contact with the hospitals to make sure they are prepared in case of a surge this fall, reminding everyone the increased hospital numbers are from all over Central Kentucky, not just Lexington. 

“Lexington numbers and then the surge hospitals can be two completely different things because keep in mind, as you know, the Lexington hospitals are getting people from Scott County, Clark County, Bourbon County, all these surrounding places,” Hall said.

The Health Department says October is projected to be the highest month in Fayette County of deaths from COVID-19. They are asking for anyone who is sick or showing symptoms to stay home and keep the spread of the virus from spreading.