‘We need the help of everyone.’ Lexington reports more than 300 new COVID-19 cases
Lexington on Thursday reported its most COVID-19 cases in a single day since Jan. 7.
The city reported 303 new COVID-19 cases from Wednesday, which pushed the rolling average of new cases up to 208, according to data from the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department. It’s the first time since January that the rolling average has been over 200. The department also reported 17 new hospitalizations Thursday.
Cases in Lexington residents from ages 5 to 17 have increased significantly since June. There were 31 cases in that age group in June, 274 in July and 569 so far in August. Cases in that age group are three times higher through the first 25 days of August than they were in the first 25 days of July, according to health department data.
Fifty-seven of the 303 new cases reported Thursday morning were in the 5 to 17 age range, according to the health department.
“We need the help of everyone” to stop the spread of COVID-19, the local health department said in a tweet Thursday.
Lexington has reported more than 4,000 COVID-19 cases this month. It’s the most in a single month since January, when 6,155 cases were reported, setting a one-month record. The city reported only 287 cases in June before infections rose back above 1,000 in July.
Lexington has reported 41,004 total coronavirus infections since the pandemic started in March 2020. There have been 2,404 hospitalizations attributed to COVID-19 and 331 deaths, according to the Lexington health department.
The Lexington health department has urged people to get vaccinated to stop the virus’ spread. The health department has also urged everyone to wear a mask, avoid close contact with people who are sick and/or showing COVID-19 symptoms and wash their hands often.
This story was originally published August 26, 2021 at 9:57 AM.