COVID-19 spread still ‘rapid’ in Lexington despite lower number of new infections
Lexington reported 47 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday morning, bringing the city’s total to 3,447. It’s the fewest cases reported in over a week.
Despite the lower one-day total, the virus is “still spreading rapidly in Lexington,” health department spokesman Kevin Hall said. He said “the spread will not slow” until more people wear masks, wash their hands frequently and practice physical distancing.
There were four new hospitalizations, bringing the total number of patients hospitalized to 305 since the start of the pandemic in March. There were no new deaths reported.
Lexington reported more than 500 COVID-19 cases last week. Before Monday’s 47 cases were announced Tuesday morning, Saturday there were 82 new infections and Sunday there were 63. Lexington daily case totals are reported the following morning, six out of seven times a week.
Later Tuesday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced 700 new cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky, and said new infections were beginning to stabilize. Monday and Tuesday’s totals were less than the previous Monday and Tuesday.
Beshear said Monday that the state was working on a potential partnership with UK HealthCare for more free testing in Lexington. It’s expected to help replace the reduction in testing caused by the end of the state’s partnership with Kroger, Beshear said. The free Kroger testing sites included the site at Bluegrass Community and Technical College through the end of July.
With Kroger’s testing sites closing, there are still six testing sites available in Fayette County, according to the state’s COVID-19 website.
This story was originally published August 4, 2020 at 9:26 AM.