FRANKFORT, KY (WOWK) – Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman gave a Team Kentucky update this afternoon covering COVID-19, including Omicron, testing and boosters, as well as economic development and infrastructure improvements.
On Tuesday, Beshear announced the state had surpassed a total of 1 million COVID-19 cases. The Kentucky Department for Public Health reported 12,583 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, bringing the state to a total of 1,027,069 cases throughout the pandemic. The state also confirmed 25 additional deaths Wednesday, bringing the state to 12,639 total deaths related to COVID-19.
The current positivity rate is at 30.77%, breaking the record-high for the second day in a row. Tuesday’s rate of 30.25% was the first day over the course of the pandemic the state’s positivity rate was above 30%. All 120 Kentucky counties are in red on the state’s current incidence rate map.
According to state health officials, 2,833,323 Kentuckians, or 68% of those eligible, have now had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. By age range, those percentages are:
- 75+ years: 92%
- 65-74 years: 96%
- 50-64 years: 81%
- 40-49 years: 71%
- 25-39 years: 62%
- 18-24 years: 54%
- 16-17 years: 50%
- 12-15 years: 47%
- 5-11 years: 19%
During the briefing, Beshear also announced the state will add 20% on top of FEMA awards in assistance for uninsured homeowners and renters impacted by deadly tornadoes storms that hit Western Kentucky in December. He also says approximately $1.4 million in Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund money will go to 1,400 Kentuckians
Gov. Beshear announced that the state will add 20% on top of what the Federal Emergency Management Agency awards in individual assistance for uninsured homeowners and renters impacted by the storms. The governor says this includes at least 475 uninsured homeowners and 987 uninsured renters. He adds that checks should go out within the next two weeks.
Approximately $1.4 million from the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund will go to more than 1,400 Kentuckians who are registered and qualify for FEMA benefits.
