Governor Andy Beshear reported that total COVID-19 cases appear to be plateauing in Kentucky. However, he warned that cases are still high, and he expects the death toll to rise.

During a Thursday news conference, Beshear said more Kentucky National Guard members have headed to assist hospitals across the state. He deployed 505 soldiers to 29 medical facilities. The governor reported that 64 of 96 hospitals have a critical staffing shortage.

Today’s case total is 4,099, with 44 newly reported deaths. Beshear added that the positivity rate is 11.33%, and 2,223 Kentuckians are hospitalized, including 625 in intensive care. There are 424 Kentuckians on a ventilator, the highest number since the start of the pandemic.

The number of Kentuckians that have received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine now totals 2,667,900, representing 60% of all commonwealth residents. Beshear continued to insist that vaccinations are the only way the state will finally escape the pandemic.