Lexington’s COVID-19 cases continue to rise with 51 new infections reported Monday
The number of new Fayette County coronavirus cases continued to steadily rise over the weekend, health department data shows.
The Fayette County Health Department reported 51 new cases since Saturday morning, raising the countywide total to 760. In comparison, Lexington had 28 new cases Friday plus eight reported Saturday.
According to Kevin Hall, spokesperson for the department, eight of Monday’s new cases are infected inmates at the Federal Medical Center, which continues to grapple with a waning outbreak. Of Lexington’s total number, 276 have been inmates at the prison.
The case increase comes as gyms, movie theaters, bowling alleys, aquatic centers and state parks were allowed to reopen on Monday. The city has seen a steady increase in cases since businesses were allowed to reopen a few weeks ago.
Hall said the current local increase began in mid-May as businesses were being reopened, but any “relaxed social/physical distancing and general lack of following public health guidelines could certainly be contributing as the numbers grow.”
Of the 760 cases in Lexington, 113 have been hospitalized. According to the data, 331 people have recovered while 13 people have died.
This story was originally published June 1, 2020 at 10:22 AM.