‘Like wildfire.’ KY logs record number of new COVID cases as omicron variant surges
Kentucky reported its highest number of new COVID-19 cases and highest positivity rate ever Tuesday, Gov. Andy Beshear said.
The state reported 6,915 new coronavirus cases and a positivity rate of 21.74 percent as the omicron variant surges.
“We are seeing a surge the likes of which this country and this world have not seen in our lifetimes,” Beshear said in a video posted late Tuesday afternoon.
“Omicron is spreading like wildfire throughout Kentucky,” he said.
While Beshear said it is hoped that the omicron variant will not cause people to be as sick as previous iterations of the virus, he warned that the numbers of people becoming infected could overwhelm the medical system if the surge continues at its current pace.
“It will fill up our hospitals, and it will create challenges for others who need care,” he said.
He reiterated the importance of vaccinations and booster shots. Earlier Tuesday, Beshear said in a Facebook post that more than 7,200 Kentuckians had gotten their first dose of a vaccine and more than 18,000 got a booster on Monday.
Beshear also emphasized the importance of wearing masks to help prevent the spread of COVID.
“Make sure it’s a good one,” Beshear said.
Kentucky reported 21 more deaths as a result of the pandemic Tuesday, bringing the statewide total since the pandemic began to 12,255.
There were 1,646 people hospitalized with COVID-19 Tuesday, including 393 in intensive care units and 246 on a ventilator, according to the Department for Public Health’s daily report. Those numbers represent an increase of 61 more people hospitalized, 20 more in ICU and 41 more on ventilators than the day before.
This story was originally published January 4, 2022 at 5:43 PM.
