In his final live briefing before Thanksgiving, Gov. Andy Beshear implored Kentuckians to heed the advice of experts regarding the nationwide COVID-19 surge and limit holiday gatherings as much as possible.
"Folks, I know I sound tired today. I am," Beshear said, battling his own COVID fatigue as he reiterated the case that's become all the more urgent in recent weeks. The governor again appealed to listeners Tuesday to make decisions that will steer the state away from its current trajectory.
Citing tightening hospital capacity, overwhelmed contact tracers, and new daily cases now reliably topping 2,000, Beshear pleaded with faithful listeners and doubters alike to act in the interest of the commonwealth. The governor also called out Kentuckians he said are mistreating health department workers and flouting COVID restrictions.
"'I can do whatever I want, whenever I want' is not American. It's not Christian. It's not who we are as people and that's not the society we founded," Beshear counseled.
While officials are urging residents to keep holiday events small or virtual if possible, Kentucky is expanding its now 15-state travel advisory to include Ohio — meaning travelers coming back from the neighboring state are being asked to quarantine for 14 days.
KENTUCKY'S TUESDAY NUMBERS:
- 2,690 new cases
- 17 deaths
- 8.82% positivity rate
- 1,658 hospitalized
- 390 in ICU
- 207 on ventilator
FAYETTE COUNTY:
- 213 new cases
- 0 deaths
