Lexington surpasses 200 COVID-19 deaths. Two-thirds of them were 75 or older
Lexington reported nine COVID-19 deaths Thursday morning, pushing the city’s total coronavirus death toll to 205.
Only one of the deaths occurred in the first few days of February. Three others occurred in December and five happened in January. The deaths were reported Thursday after they were “reviewed by the Department for Public Health and determined to be related to COVID-19,” said Kevin Hall, spokesman for the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department.
Seven of Lexington’s newly-reported deaths were residents 75 or older, according to the health department. The other two were between the ages of 55 and 64.
More than two-thirds of Lexington’s COVID-19 deaths have been residents 75 or older, according to health department data. The fatality rate within that age group is about 9.8 percent. Nearly one-third of Lexington residents 75 or older who have contracted COVID-19 have been hospitalized.
The city’s COVID-19 statistics by age are proof that senior citizens need to be prioritized for vaccination, Hall said.
“When you hear a category like Phase 1B used, it’s too easy to forget we’re talking about real people,” Hall said. “Getting our senior population ages 70 and older is important as they’re the ones most at risk of hospitalizations and death from COVID-19. The vaccination prioritization from the governor will help protect our neighbors who are most vulnerable in this pandemic.”
The number of deaths that occurred in December increased to 36, the second-most in a single month for Lexington. The number of January deaths increased to 29, the third-most in a single month. The city’s one-month record for COVID-19 deaths was set in November with 37.
Lexington also reported 168 new COVID-19 cases Thursday morning. The city’s total number of infections since March increased to 29,967.
While Lexington has seen a steady decrease in new COVID-19 cases over the past few weeks, deaths haven’t followed the same trend. The same has been true for the entire state.
Gov. Andy Beshear said Thursday that despite decreasing cases, deaths would remain “the tough part about our days.”
This story was originally published February 4, 2021 at 9:45 AM.