Kentucky sees dramatic increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – We are seeing a dramatic increase in the number of COVID-19 patients in Kentucky hospitals.

Check out this graph – it shows more than 1,100 people are hospitalized with the virus on Tuesday. This is almost 130 percent more than last week. Hospitalizations have been on the rise for about a month now:

As the delta variant spreads, health officials are encouraging people to get vaccinated.

Hospitals are starting to see more COVID-19 patients. Records show that hospitalizations rose from nearly 200 in early July to more than 1,000 on Tuesday. That’s an increase of about 500 percent.

Lexington hospitals also have higher numbers. Last week, the UK reported an average of 30 covid patients per day, almost half of them in intensive care or on a ventilator. The hospital now requires vaccines for all employees. Visitors must also wear masks.

Baptist Health had 47 covid patients on Tuesday. Officials tell us cases have gradually increased over the past three weeks. The hospital has also changed its visiting policies. No overnight visitors are allowed at this time, no visitors under the age of 18, and no visitors for covid patient cases.

Health officials stress the importance of getting vaccinated. They remind people that it’s safe and it’s the best defense we have against the delta variant.

Hospital officials regularly monitor COVID-19 cases and say they will introduce more restrictions if necessary.

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