Gov. Beshear: Get COVID-19 vaccination, booster to stay safe this Thanksgiving

In News, State by OC Monitor Staff

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Today, Gov. Andy Beshear wished all Kentuckians a happy Thanksgiving and provided guidance on how to stay safe and protect loved ones during the holiday week.

“Hospitalizations and requests for monoclonal antibody infusions are ticking up,” said Gov. Beshear. “We do not want to see that. We need to be really careful with Thanksgiving this week, as well as Christmas coming up. But unlike last year, there is an opportunity for this holiday season to be safe and pretty normal for you and your family if you follow the precautions you need to.”

The Governor encouraged Kentuckians to:

  • Get a COVID-19 vaccination;
  • Get a vaccination booster (all Kentucky adults are now eligible for a booster);
  • Stay home and avoid gatherings if they feel sick;
  • Wear masks if indoors and unvaccinated and/or not boosted, and
  • Keep gatherings small.

The Governor said earlier today, he announced Everybody Counts, a new program that will help every Jefferson County Public Schools graduate who doesn’t currently have a plan for after high school graduation to secure one of three pathways: a job at one of four companies, post-secondary enrollment or both. The program will begin this school year and will be in place to assist the class of 2022. To learn more, see the full release.

COVID-19 Case Information, Vaccinations Update
Number of people who have received at least one vaccine dose in Kentucky: 2,650,790

Number of people who have received a vaccination booster in Kentucky: 504,028

Nov. 20, Cases: 2,048
Nov. 20, Deaths: 42
Nov. 21, Cases: 1,018
Nov. 21, Deaths: 15

New Cases Today: 822
New Deaths: 44
Today’s Positivity Rate: 6.56%
Current Hospitalizations: 809
Current Intensive Care Admittances: 203
Currently on Ventilators: 101

During the week ending Nov. 21, 11,572 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Kentucky, and the average test positivity rate was 6.13%.