Thursday afternoon, Governor Andy Beshear said that there were 62 new COVID deaths in Kentucky. The number of hospitalized residents is 4,891, and the state’s positivity rate equals 13%. Beshear warned Kentuckians to expect more days with high casualties as the commonwealth continues to experience a surge of coronavirus cases.
The federal government announced a shortage of monoclonal antibodies earlier this week, a treatment that has proven promising for some experiencing COVID symptoms. A shortened supply, Beshear said, will limit the number of doses headed to Kentucky. He added the state expected to receive no more than 4,500 doses.
With an expected 5,000 to 6,000 patients needing the treatment by the end of next week, Beshear warned that the shortage would require tough decisions by medical professionals. “It’s going to be tragic when someone who didn’t get the vaccine comes in sick, and there is no antibody treatment for them,” Beshear remarked.
He urged people to get a COVID vaccine and reported that 69% of eligible Kentuckians 12 and older have already received at least one dose.
Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack also urged people to get vaccinated for the flu. Flu season typically runs from October 1 through the end of May, and Stack noted that flu cases could tax the state’s medical system. He pointed out that only 93 adult intensive care unit beds are currently available across the state.
Beshear also reminded Kentuckians that funds are still available for rent and utility payments through the Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund. The state has distributed $51.1 million to more than 9,000 households since March.
