KY COVID-19 Positivity Rate Jumps to 6%

DEM Blogger

August 9, 2020

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 8, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Saturday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

“Today is a tough day in our fight against COVID-19,” said Gov. Beshear. “I know we are slowing the growth of this virus in Kentucky, but it’s still aggressive. We simply need to do better.”

Case Information
As of 4 p.m. Aug. 8, Gov. Beshear said there were at least 34,578 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 801 of which were newly reported Saturday. Twenty-nine of the newly reported cases were from children age 5 and younger.

“Our positivity rate is the highest we’ve had since we tested the entire Green River Correctional Facility back in May,” said Gov. Beshear.

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported eight new deaths Saturday, raising the total to 772 Kentuckians lost to the virus.

“Folks, we need your help. This is the time where we need to buckle down and do what it takes to get this virus under control. Please stay safe and take this seriously,” said Gov. Beshear.

The deaths reported Saturday include a 64-year-old woman from Fulton County; a 56-year-old woman from Kenton County; a 68-year-old man from Bell County; a 93-year-old man from Christian County; a 97-year-old woman, also from Christian County; a 66-year-old woman from Pulaski County; an 82-year-old woman from Clinton County, and a 73-year-old woman from Muhlenberg County.

COVID-19 has hit us hard, “but we are not powerless,” said Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Department for Public Health. “We have shown repeatedly that our individual actions will determine our future. Will you continue to wear a face covering? Are you keeping at least six feet distance between yourself and others? Are you washing your hands frequently? And, if you receive a call from a contact tracer, will you answer? If each of us answers ‘Yes!’ through our actions, we can keep Kentuckians safe and keep Kentucky open. Together, Team Kentucky can contain the coronavirus.”

As of Saturday, there have been at least 690,942 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate currently stands at 6.02%. At least 8,647 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.

For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here.

Week in Review
For more information on this week’s updates, including those on expanded COVID-19 testing, new flexibility for schools, the David McAtee shooting investigation, the First Lady’s Coverings for Kids program, long-term care, transportation CARES Act funding, Dollar General’s expansion in Kentucky, the Nettie Depp monument, Kentucky Infrastructure Authority loans, the 2020 Kentucky State Fair, corrections, driver’s licensing, pharmacy refills and price-gouging prohibition, visit governor.ky.gov.

More Information
Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and daily summaries of the Governor’s news conference at teamkentuckytranslations.com.