Whitley, Knox, Laurel and Bell counties report a total of 148 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday

The Whitley County Health Department announced 22 additional COVID–19 cases on Wednesday, bringing the county’s total to 2,656.

There are currently 293 active cases of which 10 people are hospitalized. A total of 2,340 people have been released from isolation in Whitley County.

The Whitley County Health Department has reported 23 total COVID-19 related deaths with the three most recent deaths being reported on Dec. 30.

With the new cases, Whitley County’s COVID–19 incidence rate stands at 87.8.

Knox County

The Knox County Kentucky Health Department announced 45 additional cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, including five cases involving children. This brings the county’s total to 2,346.

There are currently 373 active cases in Knox County.

The Knox County Health Department also announced Wednesday that it had been notified about a positive case involving an employee at the McDonalds in Barbourville.

The Knox County Health Department is working closely with management to ensure all employees are following proper recommendations. The employee, who tested positive, as well as others in their immediate work area, are self-quarantining, according to a release.

If you patronized this business on Friday, Jan. 8, between the hours of 2 – 11 p.m., on Saturday, Jan. 9, between the hours of noon – 10 p.m., or Sunday, Jan. 10, between the hours of 6 a.m. – 8 p.m., then you might have been exposed.

The public is encouraged to monitor for symptoms of COVID-19, and are encouraged to get tested if they become ill and show signs of COVID-19.

Knox County has had a total of 15 COVID-19 deaths with the most recent death occurring on Oct. 26.

With the additional cases, Knox County’s COVID–19 incidence rate stands at 97.2

Laurel County

The Laurel County Health Department announced 54 additional cases of COVID–19 on Wednesday, bringing the county’s total to 4,650.

There are currently 2,248 active cases, of which 73 are hospitalized. There are 2,363 recovered COVID-19 cases in Laurel County.

A total of 82 of the active cases came from congregate settings.

The Laurel County Health Department has reported a total of 25 confirmed COVID-19 deaths with the four most recent deaths being reported on Jan. 11.

With the new cases, Laurel County’s COVID–19 incidence rate stands at 92.6.

Bell County

The Bell County Health Department announced 27 new additional individual COVID–19 cases and six new long term care cases on Wednesday, bringing the county’s total to 2,163.

There are currently 189 active individual cases and seven active long term care cases, of which 10 people are hospitalized, who range in age from 44-86.

The Bell County Health Department has reported 37 total COVID-19 deaths with the three most recent deaths being reported on Jan. 4. The deceased have ranged in age from 46-97.

With the additional cases, Bell County’s COVID–19 incidence rate stands at 99.9.

Statewide

Gov. Andy Beshear announced 4,560 additional COVID–19 cases in Kentucky on Wednesday, bringing the state’s total to 313,282.

Beshear reported 47 additional deaths, bringing the death toll to 2,991.

Beshear said 1,702 Kentuckians are currently hospitalized, of which 403 are in intensive care.

As of Wednesday, 118 of Kentucky’s 120 counties have a COVID–19 incidence rate greater than 25, which places them in the red zone.

Morgan County has the highest incidence rate in the state at 954.2. Clinton County has the second highest incidence rate at 220.9 followed by Carroll County at 168.0.