FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – More COVID-19 vaccine will be coming to Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear said during a Tuesday press briefing, making it the third increase in three weeks.

“The White House announced that we are going to get 6% more next week.  That is on top of the previous increases and will have us up 28% over what we were previously getting three weeks ago,” said Gov. Beshear. “It’s not enough, but it’s great.”

This will bring the weekly total to 71,675 doses, compared to 56,175 just three weeks ago.

He also announced that due to the impending winter storm, which has most of Kentucky under either an Ice Storm Warning, Winter Storm Warning. or a Winter Weather Advisory; vaccination appointments for Wednesday and Thursday at the Kroger regional vaccine sites in Bowling Green, Covington, and Lexington will be rescheduled to ensure the safety of all staff, volunteers and vaccine recipients.

“If you have waited a long time to get this appointment, I am really sorry,” Beshear said, “But I also don’t want to put you out on the roads with thick ice.  Wear your mask, be careful over this next week, and we will get you vaccinated.”

The number of new cases of the coronavirus reported to state public health officials rose on Tuesday to 2.339, up from 1,003 on Monday.  This brings the pandemic total to 381,121. 

Three counties had more than 100 new cases: Jefferson 396, Fayette 116, and Kenton 115.  The rest of the top ten counties were Boone 92, Madison 82, Laurel and Warren 66, Pulaski 64, Hardin 61, and Daviess 58.

The number of new deaths was 35, down from 40 on Monday, which raises Kentucky’s total to 4,126.  The latest victims ranged in age from 57 to 102.

Jefferson County had 16 deaths; Hardin County four; Barren, Boone, Hopkins, and Washington counties each had two; while there was one apiece in Boyle, Breckenridge, Fayette, Graves, Kenton, Larue, and Nelson counties.

A total of 1,204 Kentuckians are currently hospitalized with the coronavirus.  Of them, 282 are in intensive care, and 148 are on a ventilator.  All three numbers are increases from Monday.

The state’s positivity rate continues to fall.  On Tuesday, it stood at 7.66%, based on a seven-day rolling average, and is the lowest since November.

Cabinet for Health and Family Services Inspector General Adam Mather announced on Tuesday that CVS Health vaccinations are 88% complete in the state’s long-term care facilities and 79% complete in the state’s assisted living facilities.  Walgreens vaccinations are 100% complete in long-term care facilities and 90% complete in assisted living facilities.  CVS Health and Walgreens contracted with the federal government to provide long-term care and assisted living staff and resident vaccinations nationwide.

To see the full daily COVID-19 report for Kentucky, which includes such information as the red zone counties and red zone recommendations, testing locations, the weekly White House Coronavirus Task Force reports for Kentucky, executive orders, vaccine distribution, and other information on the state’s pandemic response, go to kycovid19.ky.gov.

Beshear’s next scheduled live press briefing will be Wednesday afternoon at 4.  It can be viewed on his Facebook page or on YouTube.