LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Kentucky reported 273 more cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, but Gov. Andy Beshear said the low total is due to labs being closed an extra day over the holiday weekend.
Beshear warned that in the next few days, however, the state’s daily numbers could spike back to the levels seen last week.
Newly reported cases topped 800 for four straight days last week, and Beshear extended a statewide mask mandate for another 30 days to combat the spread of COVID-19.
On Tuesday, Beshear reported one additional death from the virus, raising the state’s total to 997.
The 273 additional coronavirus cases statewide increased Kentucky’s total to 53,319 confirmed cases since the pandemic began.
Beshear said Tuesday he spoke with state Sen. Gerald Neal of Louisville, who is in the hospital with the virus. He said Neal was in “good spirits” and doing well.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness and be fatal.
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