Fayette County reports third-highest day of new COVID-19 cases, two new deaths
The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department reported Wednesday that the city saw its third-highest jump in COVID-19 cases on Tuesday.
Lexington had 135 new cases Tuesday as the total number of cases climbed to 10,787 cases since the outbreak began in Kentucky in March, according to the health department. There were two new deaths Tuesday, increasing the city’s fatalities to 94.
Only Sept. 10 and 11 had more new infections, according to the health department.
The two people who died on Tuesday were in their 70s and 90s, and both were residents of long-term care facilities, health department spokesman Kevin Hall said.
As of Tuesday, 9,331 people had recovered from COVID-19 in Lexington, according to city data. In total, 659 people in Lexington have been hospitalized with the illness since March. Since Friday, 26 people have been hospitalized.
The jump in cases has not been tied to any one location or cluster in Fayette County, Hall said. The illness continues to spread in long-term care facilities and throughout Lexington.
“With colder weather coming, the concern is more people will stay indoors and have gatherings inside, which could lead to more cases,” Hall said. “We also need to remind people to stay home if they’re symptomatic.”
There has also been an increase in the number of hospitalizations reported daily. In the summer, the health department was seeing 30 to 40 hospitalizations a day, but now that daily count is moving closer to 60, Hall said. Long-term care facilities account for some of the hospitalizations.
This story was originally published October 28, 2020 at 11:05 AM.
