Virus cases are elevated for 2nd straight day in Ky., but Beshear attributes pattern to heavy testing in long-term-care facilities

Anonymous cell-phone tracking gauges mobility as the economy reopens. Selected counties' numbers are shown; all are available on an interactive map from The Washington Post, with a story; click here.

As news develops about the coronavirus and its covid-19 disease, this item may be updated. Official state guidance is at kycovid19.ky.gov.

Kentucky Health News chart shows two-week trendline of cases is up.

Coronavirus cases remained elevated for the second straight day, but Gov. Andy Beshear said the number was driven by long-term care facilities, where the state is in the process of testing all residents and employees.

Beshear reported 247 new cases Saturday, following 283 on Friday after almost two weeks with no day higher than 166. “We have been reviewing the data from yesterday, and nearly half of the new cases were from long-term care, accounting for more than 37 percent,” he said in a press release. “Another 9% of cases were from congregate care settings, mainly the federal prison in Lexington.”

He said Saturday’s data were still being reviewed, but he said the pattern to see if the pattern “is largely a result of our expansive testing initiative in long-term care facilities.” Such facilities have accounted for about 58% of Kentucky's covid-19 deaths.

Beshear reported 13 additional deaths, raising the state's toll to 431. Eight were in Jefferson County: men aged 64, 66 and 94; and women aged 67, 84, 86, 90 and 93. The others were a 72-year-old man from Nelson County, an 88-year-old woman from Gallatin County, a 81-year-old man from Metcalfe County, a 69-year-old man from Taylor County, and a 70-year-old man from Hopkins County. 

As usual, he asked Kentuckians to light their homes, places of business and places of worship green, symbolizing compassion for the victims, and added, “In light of the events of the last couple days, compassion is something we need to have on full display.”

Beshear said more than 65,800 tests were reported this week, believed to be the most in one week. The state has confirmed 9,704 residents with the coronavirus, at least 3,232 of whom have recovered.

The state has additional information, including updated lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, here.