Health

The seven-day rolling average of new cases grew to 16 — double what it was two weeks ago and just shy of the highest average to-date.

The governor also reported three more COVID-19 deaths, raising the state's toll to 1,060.

Gov. Andy Beshear reported 13 more deaths, raising the state's COVID-19 toll to 1,057.

The Christian County Health Department reported the death of a 71-year-old woman on Friday.

The Kentucky Department of Public Health has classified Christian County's coronavirus incidence rate over the past seven days as "accelerated."

Gov. Andy Beshear noted that the White House Coronavirus Task Force supports the mask mandate, and he reprimanded those who claim the state's COVID-19 death rates are inflated since most fatalities are older and have underlying conditions.

Of the 235 cases classified as active by the health department, 31 are reported by the state to be at long-term care facilities and eight are associated with local schools.

Gov. Andy Beshear said getting a flu shot is one of the most important things Kentuckians can do as they wait for a safe vaccine to be distributed.

As the state passed a solemn milestone of more than 1,000 deaths, Christian County approached the same number of cases on Wednesday.

Public health officials consider a rate of 5% a danger level because it increases the risk of community spread of the virus. Anything less than 5% is to be celebrated.

Tuesday's daily total was among the highest reported locally since the pandemic began.