Thursday represented Kentucky’s deadliest day during the COVID-19 pandemic with the state reporting 54 deaths linked to the coronavirus, which is 17 more than the previous high day.
In the first 17 days of December, Kentucky has lost 407 people with a confirmed case of COVID-19. That’s 16 fewer than all of November and nearly as many as all fatalities reported in March, April, and May combined. It’s worth noting there is a delay in the numbers reported from the counties to the state because the state has a verification process that must be complete before the death is counted by the state. The Christian County Health Department reported the county’s 47th death on December 2nd although that one and five others have not been added to the state’s COVID-19 reporting.
The 1,817 people hospitalized Thursday also represents a new high-water mark in the state and is only the second day over 1,800. There are 431 people listed in the ICU with the virus.
Governor Andy Beshear said the latest White House report suggests prioritizing people 65 and older for vaccines. Statistics have shown in people over 70 who get COVID-19, 20-percent are hospitalized and 10-percent have died, making that segment of the population important in receiving the vaccine to reduce hospitalizations and deaths.
Beshear said the same report warned people over 65 or any age with a health problem to not enter any indoor public space where people are unmasked.
Also, Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack announced his official holiday guidance which is basically the guidance as Thanksgiving — gatherings should be limited to eight people from no more than two households; always wear a mask and stay six feet apart, don’t host or attend large gatherings, and to avoid traveling.
During Thursday’s media briefing, Beshear announced the U.S. Supreme Court came down with a decision rejecting the challenge from Attorney General Daniel Cameron to the governor’s order closing religious schools due to the pandemic.
