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By TOM LATEK

Kentucky Today

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – The number of new cases of COVID-19 and deaths in Kentucky dropped on Friday, but the state’s positivity rate continued its rise.

There were 713 new cases reported to state public health officials, 175 or which involved persons 18 years of age and younger.  This was nearly 120 less than Thursday and brings Kentucky’s overall pandemic total to 436,445 positive cases.

Five counties had more than 20 cases.  Jefferson with 114, Fayette 45, Warren 32, Kenton 23, and Daviess had 22.  The rest of the top ten counties were Christian 19, Bell 18, and 17 each in Boone, Laurel, and Oldham.

There were 10 new deaths according to information sent from local health departments, and five more uncovered in the ongoing audit of death certificates issued since last fall.

The latest victims ranged in age from 55 to 95.  Pike County had three, Jefferson County two, and there was one each in Boone, Daviess, Fayette, Greenup, and Kenton counties.

The five adult deaths reported on Friday occurred in October, December, and January, involving people who were 64 to 81.  Boone and Grant counties each had two, with one from Marshall County.

This means 6,314 Kentuckians have now been lost due to the coronavirus.

Kentucky’s positivity rate is now 3.51%, based on a seven-day rolling average of cases divided by the number of tests.  You may recall on April 9, the positivity rate stood at 2.79%, so this marks the seventh straight day of increases.

“Today’s report shows why it’s so important for every Kentuckian to get their shot of hope and help us meet the 2.5 million vaccine Team Kentucky Vaccination Challenge,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “We have come so far in this fight, but it isn’t over.  There are more than half a million Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines available in Kentucky right now, and it just takes a few minutes to find yours.”

In the challenge announced Monday, the governor stated that when 2.5 million Kentuckians have had at least their first vaccination, he would lift capacity and other restrictions at restaurants, bars, other businesses, and venues with up to 1,000 people.  He said that can be reached in six weeks or less.  Currently, the number of Kentuckians receiving at least one dose stands at 1,638,235.

Kentuckians should visit vaccinemap.ky.gov to find a COVID-19 vaccine near where they live.

To see the state’s full daily COVID-19 report, which includes such information as the red zone counties and red zone recommendations, testing locations, vaccine sites and availability, the weekly White House Coronavirus Task Force reports for Kentucky, executive orders, revised travel guidance from the CDC and other information on the state’s pandemic response, go to kycovid19.ky.gov.

The governor’s next scheduled live press briefing on COVID-19 will be Monday afternoon at 4, but his office is expected to issue daily reports on COVID-19 numbers throughout the weekend.