‘It’s skyrocketing.’ Lexington reports 460 new COVID-19 cases, breaks city records
Lexington set one-week records for new cases and hospitalizations over the past seven days, according to data from the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department.
The city reported 460 new cases over the weekend, pushing the one-week total to 1,458. The 460 new cases included a new one-day record: 265 new cases on Saturday. The city’s case total has climbed to 13,926, meaning it’s likely that the 14,000th case will be reported Tuesday morning.
The city releases Saturday and Sunday case numbers on Monday mornings. The previous day’s cases are released Tuesday through Saturday.
“It’s skyrocketing, and we’re not alone in this,” Lexington health department spokesman Kevin Hall said. “All throughout Central Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky — throughout Kentucky, this is spreading.”
There were also nine new hospitalizations reported, which brought the one-week total to 55. It’s the first time Lexington has reported 50 or more hospitalizations in one week.
As of Monday, there were about 50 to 60 Lexington residents in the hospital with coronavirus, Hall said. The number of COVID-19 patients in Lexington hospitals was likely higher because of out-of-county residents seeking care.
Representatives from Saint Joseph Hospital, University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital and Baptist Health Lexington said in a press conference Friday that 150-200 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 across the three hospitals. About one-third of those were in the intensive care unit.
“We think that a good vaccine, probably more than one, is right around the corner,” said Dr. Mark Dougherty, an infectious disease specialist at Baptist Health. “We just have to be more vigilant in preventing it now.”
The current spike of cases — which has escalated the city’s rolling seven-day average to more than 200 cases per day — seems to align with Halloween parties, Hall said.
“We’re not able to trace anything specifically to parties or gatherings, but it’s very likely part of the increases come from events like that,” Hall said.
The spike has created a greater level of concern for the health department as Thanksgiving looms and families make plans to gather for meals and football watch parties.
In addition to holiday parties, there’s concern that local residents got too relaxed when Lexington hit a COVID-19 plateau in October. The city’s rolling seven-day average has nearly tripled from its lowest point in October.
“People were getting a little too relaxed and celebratory,” Hall said.
At the halfway point of November, the number of new cases for the month is 2,593, which means Lexington is on pace to report 5,186 cases by the end of the month. The current record for new cases in a month is 2,804, which was reported in September.
Blood donation during the pandemic is safe, blood center says
The Kentucky Blood Center asked University of Kentucky fans to donate blood this week for “Big Blue Crush.” The week-long event is a competition between the Kentucky Blood Center and the Medic Regional Blood Center in Knoxville to see which can generate the most blood donations.
Earlier this month, the blood center pleaded for donations as stockpiles had gotten low during the pandemic.
“Blood donation is safe,” blood center spokesperson Savannah Sullivan said in a news release. “Appointments are preferred to ensure social distancing. Walk-ins will be accepted as space allows. Face coverings are required. Individuals awaiting COVID-19 test results should not attempt to donate.”
The Beaumont Donor Center at 3121 Beaumont Centre Circle will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday to Friday this week. The Andover Donor Center at 3130 Maple Leaf Drive will have the same hours.
Blood can also be donated at the Buell Armory from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the Lewis Honors College from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
This story was originally published November 16, 2020 at 8:31 AM.