Kentucky reported 2,008 new coronavirus cases

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky reported 2,008 new coronavirus cases and 31 virus-related deaths Friday, with around 27.4% of the new cases occurring in children and teens aged 18 and under.

The state’s test positivity rate has increased to 8.0% from 7.91%. The positivity rate is an indicator of the extent of the spread of the virus, according to the World Health Organization.

Two deaths reported Friday included Kentuckians as young as 44 years old, Gov. Andy Beshear said in a post to social media.

Some 1,273 virus patients were hospitalized, including 373 in intensive care units, the state said.

State reports show that some hospitals are still feeling the brunt of the delta variant surge despite the state’s declining positivity rate. Only 142 intensive care unit beds were available statewide Friday, down from 167 Thursday. Nine out of 10 of the state’s hospital regions have ICU capacity at 85% and above.

Almost all of Kentucky’s 120 counties are reported to be in the red zone — the most serious category for COVID-19 incidence rates. People in those counties are asked to follow stricter recommended guidelines to contain the virus.