Amid rising Delta variant cases across the south, Gov. Andy Beshear elected in a special-called Monday update to install universal masking requirements in all state-run health care facilities.
Those who continue to remain unvaccinated while working in these facilities will be required to test for COVID-19 twice weekly, while those individuals who are vaccinated will only be tested in accordance to CDC guidelines.
New cases of COVID-19 have been on the rise in Kentucky for five consecutive weeks since June 21, while positivity rates have increased from 1.79 percent in the heart of June, to 9.77 percent as of Monday’s update.
Beshear, however, had good news to report. During the four weeks of June, nearly 82,000 Kentuckians received, at the least, their first vaccination.
Last week, more than 40,000 doses of the vaccine were administered state-wide — nearly half as many as all of June, and in a quarter of the time.
Currently, Beshear stated he’s not considering state-wide mask mandates, nor is he considering state-wide vaccinations — especially at the state level — as some rumored and feared.
Instead, Beshear noted masking and vaccinations combined are a weapon Kentuckians didn’t have at the height of the pandemic, and he’s hoping the two choices come together to help curb what is becoming a threatening situation in southerly states.
What he’s particularly concerned about are big events.
Beshear did say the potential of future mask mandates can’t be off the table, and that incidence rates, positivity percentages and hospitalizations will continue to be the driving numbers behind those decisions.
But Kentucky is seeing a better vaccination rate than it’s seen in months, and that’s a trend he’d like to see continue — especially heading into the start of schools in 120 Commonwealth counties.
Beshear added more COVID-19 updates will come in Thursday’s “Team Kentucky” discussion.
