The Northern Kentucky Health Department is reminding citizens to take precautions against COVID-19 as the area reports its highest number of new daily cases since the pandemic began.
On Thursday, NKY Health saw 246 newly reported coronavirus cases, and 2,260 currently active cases. There was also one new COVID-related death reported Thursday, for a total of 99 deaths.
“COVID-19 is continuing to spread at an alarming rate in Northern Kentucky with three of our four counties in the red zone,” said Dr. Lynne Saddler, District Director of Health for NKY Health, in a release. “Now is the time for all of us in our communities — individuals, schools, workplaces, organizations and others — to take the appropriate actions to get the spread of this virus under control.”
On Thursday, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear conveyed a similar sentiment as the total number of cases reported in the Commonwealth over a 24-hour period hit 2,318 — the second highest ever. Twenty new deaths were reported, with 1,102 people currently hospitalized for COVID. The state has a 6.50% positivity rate.
The governor also said that 80 Kentucky counties are now in red zones, which is 12 more than last week.
“This means we just need more out of everybody,” Beshear said. “It’s got to be a concerted community effort everywhere this virus is out of control.”
Dr. Saddler and NKY Health have issued these recommendations and steps for Northern Kentuckians to take to "protect themselves, their families, their friends and others":
- Do not host or attend gatherings of any size
- Avoid non-essential activities outside of your home
- Reschedule, postpone or cancel public and private events
- Reduce overall activity and contacts, and follow existing guidance, including the 10 Steps to Fight COVID-19
- Wear a mask
- Social distance
- Wash hands and surfaces
- Limit crowds and gatherings
- Stay home if sick
- Get tested
- Answer the call from contact tracers
- Follow healthy at work and school guidelines
- Prioritize mental health
- Limit travel
- Reduce in-person shopping; order online or curbside pickup as much as possible
- Order take-out; avoid dining in restaurants or bars
- Prioritize businesses that follow and enforce mask mandate and other guidelines
- Employers should allow employees to work from home when possible
- Non-critical Government offices to operate virtually
- Schools should follow the state’s COVID-19 Mode of Instruction Metrics for K-12 Education
For more information, visit nkyhealth.org and kycovid19.ky.gov
