A surge in the Omicron variant of the coronavirus has pushed Kentucky past the one-million case mark since the pandemic began nearly two years ago.
In the past five days, Kentucky has reported 63,504 cases of COVID-19 including a single-day high of 14,896 on Saturday.
Kentucky’s testing positivity rate also hit a new high Tuesday of 30.2-percent.
State Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack said a sharp rise in the transmission of the Omicron variant has seen new records set in Kentucky.
click to download audioDr. Stack compared Kentucky to New York and Rhode Island who are seeing sharp decreases in cases and said Kentucky could still be a week or two away from peaking in cases reported.
click to download audioKentucky Governor Andy Beshear said 85-percent of those hospitalized with COVID-19 are unvaccinated and 83-percent of the state’s COVID deaths were unvaccinated. He said the current surge is putting a strain on hospitals and doctor’s offices much like last fall’s Delta variant did.
click to download audioThe governor also said the state’s correctional facilities are getting hit with the virus as well, with over 600 staff and inmates testing positive.
click to download audioBeshear said 85-percent of the state’s inmates have been vaccinated with 55-percent receiving a booster shot with both figures above state averages.
