Coronavirus and covid-19 numbers set new records; Beshear urges 80 counties in red zone to follow extra preventive steps

Ky. Health News graph; case numbers are based on unadjusted daily reports; click image to enlarge

By Al Cross
Kentucky Health News

Kentucky reported its second largest number of new coronavirus cases Friday, and almost every other measurement of the pandemic also went the wrong way.

The 2,302 new cases were second only to the 2,318 reported the day before. The state recorded 2,398 cases on Oct. 7, but that included a Fayette County backlog of more than 1,400.

The seven-day rolling average of new cases, a better measure of the infection trend, was 1,784. That was 51 more than Thursday, and a new record.

The share of Kentuckians testing positive for the virus jumped again, to 6.77 percent, the highest rate since June 1, when testing wasn't as available as now.

Kentucky hospitals had 1,153 covid-19 patients and 299 of them in intensive case, both new records. Among the intensive-care patients, 158 were on ventilators, probably another record. Officials have voiced concern about hospitals and intensive-care units filling up and not having enough staff because of exposure to the virus.

“These numbers are truly frightening," Gov. Andy Beshear said in a press release. “I know we’ve been in this fight for so long that it’s easy to get numb to the scary headlines and high case numbers. That’s normal. It’s human nature, but you have to understand this is the most dangerous covid-19 has ever been in the commonwealth, and it is leading to more of our fellow Kentuckians becoming sick, being hospitalized and dying.

Map relabeled by Ky. Health News; for a larger version, click on it.

“We can only get back to normal if we address it head-on and that is why I am urging all of you, especially those in red counties, to follow recommendations for reducing the spread in your community.”

Beshear was referring to counties in the state's "red zone," where daily case numbers for the last seven days average 25 or more per 100,000 residents.

"Communities in red-zone counties must work together to defeat an alarming spike in covid-19," the news release said. "Gov. Beshear reminded community leaders, schools, businesses and residents in the state’s hardest hit areas to follow the Red Zone Reduction Recommendations. Thursday’s 80 red-zone counties should follow the recommendations Monday, Nov. 9, through Sunday, Nov. 15."

The state reported 10 additional deaths from covid-19, bringing its death toll to 1,544. The fatalities were a 38-year-old woman from Todd County; a 92-year-old woman from Muhlenberg County; an 82-year-old man from McLean County; two women, 89 and 99, from Hardin County; two men, 88 and 104, from Jessamine County; two men, 72 and 80, from Laurel County; and a 76-year-old man from Lyon County.

Counties with more than 10 new cases were: Jefferson, 418; Fayette, 155; Kenton, 110; Hardin, 89; Warren, 89; Campbell, 76; Bullitt, 75; Boone, 68; Nelson, 57; McCracken, 51; Laurel, 40; Oldham, 33; Pike, 33; Graves, 32; Madison, 32; Hopkins, 30; Daviess, 29; Christian, 28; Barren, 27; Monroe, 27; Henderson, 24; Clay, 23; Johnson, 23; Rowan, 22; Knox, 19; Floyd, 18; Hart, 18; Clark, Franklin and Grant, 17 each; Scott and Shelby, 16 each; Bell and Powell, 15 each; Greenup, Logan, Marshall and Meade, 13 each; Boyd, Larue and Webster, 12; and Breathitt, Elliott, Jessamine, Mason and Montgomery, 11 each.