COVID-19’s second surge, courtesy of the “Omicron” variant, could finally be entering its waning stages.
During his Monday news conference, Governor Andy Beshear relayed that Kentucky’s positivity rate has fallen 10% since cresting north of 33% two weeks ago — down to 23.51% as of the end of last week.
Statewide, COVID-19 related hospitalizations were down 11% last week, as well, though Beshear reported more than 1/3 of the state’s hospitals (36 of 96) were still experiencing critical staffing shortages amid this second wave.
From February 4-6, Beshear said Kentucky officials logged more than 11,000 new cases of COVID-19 and identified 93 COVID-19 related deaths — including a 41-year-old in Christian County, and a 47-year-old in McCracken County.
It’s still the fifth-highest week of new total cases since the pandemic began in March of 2020.
While hospitalizations are on the downtrend, Beshear said admittance approached at-or-near “Delta” variant levels experienced across the country last summer — albeit for a much more extended period of recovery.
And though vaccinations are ebbing, more than 2.86 million Kentuckians have at least one dose of a vaccination — including 76% of all Kentuckians aged 18 and older.
The next step, Beshear said, continues to be improving the vaccination rates of school-aged children. Pfizer’s 6-month to 5-year-old two-dose vaccine could also soon receive its emergency approval in mid-February.
Aside from urging families to root for the local Cincinnati Bengals, Beshear also noted that it would behoove many to observe some guidance during this Sunday’s upcoming Super Bowl showdown.
Typically a large gathering for many, COVID-19 is still quite present in all 120 counties — despite its downward spiral.
Recommendations include:
■ If you’re sick, stay home.
■ All attendees should be vaccinated and/or boosted.
■ Everyone needs to be tested prior, if they can.
■ If everyone isn’t vaccinated, masking indoors is recommended.
■ Try to limit attendance where possible.
■ Enjoy the game.
More than 200 Kentuckians remain on ventilators, and more than 400 remain in intensive care units.
