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.
Gov. Andy Beshear, noting the observance of Labor Day, said the best way to honor nurses, doctors and others on the front line of the pandemic is to follow the guidelines that curb the virus' spread, including wearing a mask and social distancing.
"We've said over and over and over: 'This is not about politics. It's purely about public health and if we don't do it, we're going to pay a consequence and more people will get sick. When they get sick, they'll go to the hospital, some people will die.'" — Dr. Steven Stack
The state's seven-day rolling average of daily new cases was 689, more than two and a half times what it was four months ago. It exceeded 700 for the first time on three days last week.
Health professionals urge the use of masks because they reduce the spread of droplets that are expelled when a person breathes, coughs and sneezes. The virus is carried in droplets.
Saturday's case count brought the seven-day rolling average down by five, to 710. Gov. Andy Beshear said 98 of the infections are in Kentuckians 18 and younger.
