FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) -- Gov. Andy Beshear announced Saturday that with FDA approval of the Pfizer vaccine, Kentucky’s first shipment is expected to arrive early in the coming week, but even with the end of the pandemic in sight, vigilance is still needed.
 

He urged Kentuckians to continue wearing masks, washing their hands, social distancing, and keeping gatherings small to keep each other safe while the vaccine begins to be distributed.
 

While the approval of the first COVID-19 is great news, the Governor noted it will still be some time before everyone can get vaccinated.
 

“We have to stay vigilant until that time,” he stated. “It is morally imperative that we get the vaccine to the most vulnerable Kentuckians first, and that is why we are starting with our long-term care facilities and front-line health care workers. In the meantime, please keep doing what you know is right: wear your mask, keep your distance from others and don’t have large gatherings. Together, we can defeat this virus.”
 

There were 3,558 new cases of the coronavirus reported to state health officials on Saturday. This means 220,660 Kentuckians have now tested positive for COVID-19, since the first one on March 6.
 

Four counties had over 100 cases. Jefferson had 588, Fayette 265, Pulaski 127, and Kenton 122. The remainder of the top ten counties in terms of new cases were Boone with 94, Daviess 93, Warren 83, Hardin 81, Wayne 60, and Boyd 58.
 

There were also 24 new deaths reported on Saturday, bringing the pandemic total to 2,192.
 

The victims in the latest cases ranged in age from 49 to 98. Pike and Pulaski counties each had three deaths; Adair, Fayette, Hardin, Muhlenberg, and Warren counties had two each; and single deaths were reported in Campbell, Casey, Clinton, Mason, Metcalfe, Nelson, Russell, and Whitley counties.
 

Despite the continued high number of new cases, the state’s positivity rating, based on a seven-day rolling average of tests versus positive cases, stood at 8.79% on Saturday, the ninth day in a row that number has declined.
 

“Decreasing statewide positivity rates are encouraging, but they are the result of difficult choices made to decrease spread of disease,” said Dr. Steven Stack, State Public Health Commissioner. “Multiple Kentucky hospitals are still under strain and the market for available health care workers has become extremely tight as states around the nation experience massive COVID-19 surges, overwhelming their hospitals.”
 

Dr. Stack said every Kentuckian has important decisions to make in the weeks ahead. “Wear your mask, socially distance and if you are sick, seek medical care or stay at home until you are fully recovered. And if you are over 65 or have medical problems, stay healthy at home as much as you possibly can, since leaving your home now places you at high risk of exposure to COVID-19.”
 

To view the full daily report for Kentucky, red zone counties and red zone recommendations, testing locations, the weekly White House Coronavirus Task Force reports for Kentucky and other key guidance, go to kycovid19.ky.gov.
 

The Governor’s next scheduled press briefing is expected to take place Monday afternoon at 4:00, although he is expected to issue another daily report on Sunday.