Lexington enters ‘red zone’ with sixth-highest day of new COVID-19 cases
After the sixth-highest day of new COVID-19 cases Thursday, Lexington returned to the state’s “red zone,” indicating a high incidence rate, according to the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department.
There were 130 new cases reported in Lexington on Thursday, bringing the city’s total since the outbreak began to 10,917, according to the health department. One new death was also reported on Thursday, increasing Fayette County COVID-19 deaths to 95. More than half of those have been in long-term care facilities.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear earlier this week announced new recommendations for counties in the “red zone,” which is the category reserved for those counties with average cases of 25 or more per 100,000 residents. Beshear asked local leaders and businesses to postpone events and urged residents to work remotely when possible and reduce shopping trips and gatherings.
Lexington and Fayette County had an average of 27.7 cases per 100,000 population, according to the state.
The health department reminded people to wash their hands often, avoid close contact with others, wear a mask and stay home if symptoms are present.
Since the outbreak hit the area in March, 663 people have been hospitalized with the illness, according to city data. Hospitalizations have been increasing, according to the health department. The number of people in the hospital daily with COVID-19 during the summer was generally between 30 and 40, but that number has climbed closer to 60 daily, Hall said.
As of Thursday’s update, 9,416 people in Fayette County had recovered from COVID-19 since March, according to city data.
This story was originally published October 29, 2020 at 9:56 AM.
