Kentucky reports massive increase in COVID-19 cases

FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX19) - Kentucky saw its largest daily increase in newly reported COVID-19 cases Wednesday and its highest positivity rate since May 5, according to Gov. Andy Beshear.

The commonwealth recorded 5,742 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases and 34 new virus-related deaths.

The rolling seven-day positivity rate is 11.7 percent.

“Today’s numbers show how critically important a centralized effort and response is to defeating this virus,” said Beshear.

Before the holidays, declining case numbers provided some optimism Kentucky had exited its winter case surge without incurring the kind of sustained exponential increase seen elsewhere.

Case numbers since the holidays have been comparatively turbulent, with low reports followed by massive increases.

Previously Beshear has urged caution in interpreting the data, as it could take several more days before they paint an accurate picture of where Kentucky stands in its ongoing fight against the virus.

Positivity rates are much the same. A decline in general population testing during the holidays likely meant more tests were taking place among patients already presumed to have COVID-19, which in turn increased the positivity rate.

If positivity rates remain high, however, it could indicate a worrying increase in the virus rather than sampling error.

Hospitalization numbers remain steady, though they often lag case data by more than a week.

Currently 1,778 Kentuckians are hospitalized, 428 are in ICUs and 244 are on ventilators.

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