During his 4 p.m. update on Wednesday, Dec. 16, Gov. Beshear reported 2,898 new cases of COVID-19. This bring’s Kentucky’s total cases to 230,693, with 187,697 of those cases being lab confirmed and 42,996 are probable.

Twenty-three new deaths were reported Wednesday. Those reported lost to the virus include an 80-year-old woman and a 67-year-old man from Adair County; a 61-year-old woman from Bell County; an 81-year-old woman from Daviess County; an 81-year-old man from Jefferson County; two women, ages 77 and 85, from Marion County; two men, ages 71 and 86, and a 96-year-old woman from Mason County; a 77-year-old woman and a 67-year-old man from McCracken County; two men, ages 73 and 75, and a 76-year-old woman from Nelson County; two men, ages 65 and 72, and an 84-year-old woman from Oldham County; a 95-year-old woman and an 87-year-old man from Pulaski County; an 89-year-old man from Russell County; an 81-year-old man from Taylor County; and a 72-year-old man from Todd County.

This makes a total of 2,262 Kentuckians lost to the virus; though 129 of those are probable and only 2,133 are lab confirmed.

A total of 3,175,868 COVID-19 test have been administered in Kentucky. 2,940,097 were PCR Test, 98,848 were serology test, and 136,923 were antigen test. The positivity rate currently stands at 8.57%.

Currently 1,793 Kentuckians are hospitalized due COVID-19 related symptoms. With 460 in the ICU and 239 on a ventilator.

Top counties with the most positive cases Wednesday were: Jefferson, Fayette, Madison, Daviess and Pulaski. Each of these counties reported 100 or more new cases; Jefferson County alone reported 352.

On a positive note, at least 32,402 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.

The red zone counties for this week can be found here. Community leaders, businesses, schools and families in these counties should all follow red zone reduction recommendations, as well as other orders and guidance.