FRANKFORT, Ky. — The number of Kentuckians eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine is about to grow significantly.
During his briefing on Monday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Kentucky expects to move into phase 1-C on March 1. That includes anyone age 60 and older, as well as certain essential workers, such as transportation, food service, media and legal.
It also includes those with high-risk conditions, such as cancer, heart conditions, obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Looking at the latest numbers, Kentucky has now seen six straight weeks of declines in the number of new cases — the longest period of decline since the pandemic began.
More than 500 new cases were reported on Monday, bringing the total to more than 397,000.
Thirteen more Kentuckians have died, raising the death toll to 4,460.
There are currently 870 people hospitalized with COVID-19, including 243 in intensive care and 119 on ventilators.
The state’s positivity rate is currently 6.6 percent.