During his 4 p.m. update on Monday, Dec. 28, Gov. Beshear reported 1,455 new cases of COVID-19. This bring’s Kentucky’s total cases to 258,517, with 208,615of those cases being lab confirmed and 49,902 are probable.

Eight new deaths were reported Monday. Those reported lost to the virus include a 92-year-old man from Bath County; a 74-year-old woman from Grayson County; a 64-year-old woman from Henderson County; a 93-year-old woman and three men, ages 41, 67 and 79, from Jefferson County; and an 80-year-old woman from Madison County.

This makes a total of 2,563 Kentuckians lost to the virus; though 165 of those are probable and only 2,398 are lab confirmed.

A total of 3,385,971 COVID-19 test have been administered in Kentucky. 3,124,415were PCR Test, 101,548 were serology test, and 160,008 were antigen test. The positivity rate currently stands at 7.97%.

Currently 1,552 Kentuckians are hospitalized due COVID-19 related symptoms. With 411 in the ICU and 217 on a ventilator.

Top counties with the most positive cases Monday were: Jefferson, Kenton, Warren and Pulaski. Each of these counties reported 50 or more new cases; Jefferson County alone reported 225.

On a positve note, at least 35,988 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.

The Governor noted that the state’s smart, limited restrictions and Kentuckians’ sacrifices have made a clear impact in the state’s fight against COVID-19, decreasing Kentucky’s weekly case numbers, positivity rate and hospitalizations.

The Governor asked Kentuckians to keep New Year’s celebrations safe and small.

“What we do on these holidays in 2020 is going to dictate how many people are or are not with us for holidays in 2021,” said Gov. Beshear. “There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Let’s make sure we’re making the types of decisions that protect people as we get there.”