Kentucky’s testing positivity rate for COVID-19 has increased for the past month as the Delta variant of the virus continues to show a faster spread than prior strains.
Governor Andy Beshear said hospitalizations due to the virus have tripled in the last three weeks with unvaccinated people driving the latest surge in cases.
click to download audioThe governor said 95-percent of the state’s COVID cases since March have been in unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people.
Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack said the state is beginning to see a higher reinfection rate. He said even if you’ve had COVID-19 in the past, it does not make you immune to the Delta variant.
click to download audioStack said he has already reached out to hospitals in the state and encouraged them to monitor their personal protective equipment as cases and hospitalizations increase.
click to download audioStack said the Delta variant of COVID-19 has a viral load about 1,000 times more potent than other strains of the virus.
The state reported 2.27 Kentuckians have received a shot in the fight against COVID-19 with vaccinations increasing by about 5,000 last week compared to the week prior.
