FRANKFORT, Ky. — On Tuesday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced the federal government increased Kentucky’s vaccine supply for the third time in three weeks, this time by six percent, for a total increase of 28%.
“The White House announced that we are going to get six percent more next week – that is on top of the previous increases and will have us up 28% over what we were previously getting three weeks ago,” said Gov. Beshear. “It’s not enough, but it’s great.”
The Governor also warned Kentuckians about significant snow and ice accumulation from late tonight until late Thursday night. For more details on the current forecast, click here, and visit the National Weather Service’s website or your local news outlet for live updates.
“The commonwealth is facing a significant ice and snow event starting tomorrow that will last until Thursday night. The storm is going to effect the entire state. The National Weather Service has a high confidence level of ice and snow accumulation during this period,” said Gov. Beshear. “We can expect some scattered power outages throughout the impacted areas. The winter storm will not have the far-reaching effects of the 2009 ice storm – thank goodness – but this is a dangerous weather system and we urge you to make a safety plan with family and check on your neighbors and friends. We need to be prepared.”
Vaccination appointments for Wednesday and Thursday at Kroger regional vaccine sites will be rescheduled to ensure the safety of all staff, volunteers and vaccine recipients.
“If you have waited a long time to get this appointment, I am really sorry. But I also don’t want to put you out on the roads with thick ice,” said Gov. Beshear. “Wear your mask, be careful over this next week and we will get you vaccinated.”
Case Information
As of 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, Gov. Beshear reported the following COVID-19 numbers:
New cases today: 2,339
New deaths today: 35
Positivity rate: 7.66%
Total deaths: 4,126
Currently hospitalized: 1,204
Currently in ICU: 282
Currently on ventilator: 148
Top counties with the most positive cases today are: Jefferson, Fayette, Kenton, Boone and Madison. Each of these counties reported 80 or more new cases; Jefferson County alone reported 396. To see a list of those reported lost to the virus today, click here.
Long-Term Care Update
Cabinet for Health and Family Services Inspector General Adam Mather announced that CVS Health vaccinations are 88% complete in the state’s long-term care facilities and 79% complete in the state’s assisted living facilities. Walgreens vaccinations are 100% complete in long-term care facilities and 90% complete in assisted living facilities. CVS Health and Walgreens contracted with the federal government to provide long-term care and assisted living staff and resident vaccinations nationwide.
Mather also announced that vaccinations have begun for Supports for Community Living residents. SCL provides assistance to individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability to help them live in the community as independently as possible.
“There are a total of 137 SCL residential providers in the commonwealth and 103 counties have at least one SCL residential location,” Mather said. “We’ve already immunized 1,110 SCL residents out of 3,524 with the help of Walgreens, local health departments and community leaders. Within two weeks, each facility will at least have appointments scheduled. We’re very appreciative of Walgreens and their efforts.
“We’re currently working on an additional program with local health departments to reach out to our senior/elderly, lower-income congregate living spaces in order to get clinics set up for them. That really speaks to the equity challenges that we’re working so hard to address in the commonwealth.”
Kentucky Broadband Initiative
Today, Rocky Adkins, senior advisor to Gov. Beshear, updated Kentuckians on the state’s broadband speed test, which he said is a necessary step toward providing broadband internet connectivity to every Kentuckian.
“Closing the digital divide is critical for economic development, education and creating the jobs of the future right here in Kentucky,” said Adkins. “Three weeks into the speed test, I am happy to report that 52,803 households have participated so far. The counties with the highest participation rates so far are Caldwell, Scott, Harlan and Hancock counties. On the opposite end of the spectrum – we need you to help us spread the word in Jefferson, McCreary, Boone and Meade counties. We need everyone – no matter where you are from – to participate. It takes 30 seconds and is completely anonymous.”
Kentuckians can visit speedtest.ky.gov to take the test.
Gov. Beshear Visits Eastern Kentucky
On Tuesday, Gov. Beshear and Adkins toured AppHarvest’s flagship high-tech indoor farm in Morehead for the first time and spoke about the company’s success as it transforms Kentucky’s economy while creating good-paying jobs and providing fresh, sustainable produce to the Eastern United States. To learn more, see the full release.
“This is a part of Kentucky that is really making a difference, bringing innovation and vision, creating jobs of the future,” said Adkins.
“Gov. Beshear also visited Rajant, a wireless communications company that has been in Morehead for a few years, hiring the graduates coming out of the Space Science Center at Morehead State University and building bright futures in Eastern Kentucky as well,” Adkins added. “If you watched the Super Bowl the other night, on the NFL sidelines, the actual radio communications device coaches used were Rajant devices built by Morehead State graduates.”
Gov. Beshear today also visited the Kentucky Fresh Harvest facility in Lincoln County. In October 2020, KFH officially opened the first high-tech vegetable greenhouse in the Bluegrass. To learn more, see the full release.
Memorial
“Today, we honor Marianne Lee Snowden from Walton, Kentucky, who passed away Thursday, Jan. 14 at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Florence from complications due to COVID-19. Marianne was only 29 years old,” said Gov. Beshear. “Marianne’s parents, Sherry and Herb Snowden, described her life as an epitome of love that radiated into everything she did.
“She had quite the knack for remembering birthdays; calling each of her friends and family members to sing happy birthday and make their day extra special. She was actively involved in NorthKey Community Care in Williamstown where she loved working in the greenhouse as a florist.
“Marianne was also very active in the Special Olympics where she loved cheerleading, running track, bowling and playing softball. She loved anything Disney and was a huge Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins fan.
“Marianne was sick for 11 days before she passed, begging to go home every day. Her mom stressed, ‘If you don’t think COVID is bad, it’s worse than you think. My daughter passed away from it. Gone almost four weeks and I don’t know what to do with myself. Send prayers, wear your masks and keep your distance.’ We are certainly praying for this family, and let’s mask up in Marianne’s honor.”
More Information
To view the full daily report, incidence rate map, information on testing locations, vaccines, contact tracing, school reports and guidance, guidance for health care providers and the White House Coronavirus Task Force reports for Kentucky and more, visit kycovid19.ky.gov.