State COVID-19 Positivity Rate Approaches 12%

DEM Blogger

January 8, 2021

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 7, 2021) – On Thursday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced nearly 5,000 new COVID-19 cases in the commonwealth’s second-highest daily report – yesterday’s report was the highest-ever – and the state’s highest positivity rate since May 5.

The Governor has announced 10,653 cases in just two days.

“We are in a dangerous place. It is now clear that we are seeing an escalation related to holiday gatherings. This is not the time to make it harder to react to this virus when it may be surging again,” said Gov. Beshear. “We have to have the tools to fight back.

“Wear your masks all the time when you are indoors and there is anybody else there who is from outside your household. At this point, do it for your own safety. That’s what we need to do to get through these next couple months. Over the last two days, we have vaccinated 32,524 Kentuckians. We are ready to defeat this virus and we need to make sure we protect our people while we do.”

He said Kentuckians can watch his joint State of the Commonwealth and budget address tonight at 7 p.m. EST via his social media channels, where closed captions are also available. For full coverage, Kentuckians can tune to Kentucky Educational Television.

Yesterday, the Governor released a statement on the events that unfolded at the United States Capitol that you can view here.

Case Information
As of 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, Gov. Beshear reported the following COVID-19 numbers:

New cases today: 4,911
New deaths today: 37
Positivity rate: 11.9%
Total deaths: 2,843
Currently hospitalized: 1,744
Currently in ICU: 424
Currently on ventilator: 217

Top counties with the most positive cases today are: Jefferson, Fayette, Warren, Kenton, Morgan and Boone. Each of these counties reported 150 or more new cases; Jefferson County alone reported 683.

To see a list of those reported lost to the virus today, click here.

More Information
To view the full daily report, incidence rate map, testing locations, long-term care and other congregate facilities update, school reports and guidance, red zone counties, red zone recommendations, the White House Coronavirus Task Force reports for Kentucky and other key guidance visit, kycovid19.ky.gov.