Kentucky hit a new record for COVID-19 vaccinations last week, but that number could fall in the coming weeks if the federal government isn't able to boost shipments.
More than 82,000 Kentuckians received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine last week, but that's due in part to reserves the state had built up in the beginning days of the rollout. By the end of next week, Gov. Andy Beshear warns those extra doses could be used up and the state might see its vaccination numbers drop.
"Our ability to provide Kentuckians with vaccinations is extremely limited due to insufficient supply that we are getting from the federal government," he reiterated during his Monday briefing.
That supply is currently around 56,000 doses a week — or only about a fifth of what the state estimates it could be administering weekly through systems that are already up and running.
For the time being, the governor is hoping the federal government will make good on promises to up production. Beshear has said he's exploring all available avenues to get more vaccines into the state, including negotiating directly with manufacturers.
KENTUCKY COVID-19 MONDAY NUMBERS:
- 1,268 new cases
- 39 deaths
- 9.93% positivity rate
- 1,539 hospitalized
- 374 in ICU
- 203 on ventilator
