The COVID-19 positivity rate in Kentucky continues to fall.
Last Sunday, Kentucky reported 979 new COVID cases, 731 less than last week. The positivity rate is currently 6.7%, with cases decreasing for the sixth week in a row.
“We see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Governor Andy Beshear said Monday, Feb. 15. “We want to protect one another as we get there.”
The state’s total number of cases was 396,018 as of Feb. 21.
“In addition to releasing the COVID statistics, Beshear said childcare workers will get higher priority for vaccines,” the Lexington Herald Leader reported on Feb. 15. “They have been included in 1B groups and can sign up anywhere the state is offering vaccines.”
Rates continue to improve in all areas.
“Hospitalization rates are also improving, Currently, 902 people are hospitalized with COVID-19 in Kentucky,” WKYT reported. “The state reported 248 patients are in the ICU with 148 people on a ventilator.”
Group 1C will be able to begin vaccinations by March 1, if not sooner.
“1C includes anyone age 60 or older, anyone 16 or older with highest risk conditions and all essential workers,” WHAS11 reported. “The term essential workers includes people of dozens of different professions. It is the largest category thus far.”
The University of Kentucky will open vaccine pop-up clinics for the underserved populations, according to the Lexington Herald Leader. The first clinic will be at Keeneland this weekend for members of the Hispanic community “who work in the track’s stable area and on Central Kentucky horse farms.” Walk-up appointments are not permitted.
“Community organizations representing underserved populations are working with the university to identify and invite those who will get the shots each weekend, the university said,” according to the Lexington Herald Leader. “The clinic will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will be at rotating locations across the county over the next four weekends. The state’s Department of Public Health will allot 500 vaccines per weekend.”
