Kentucky reports 2,135 new COVID-19 cases, 5 more deaths Monday as surge persists

Following another weekly high total of new COVID-19 cases, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear reported 2,135 more positive cases, the highest total the state has seen on a Monday.

The Bluegrass State has now seen 160,232 confirmed cases of the coronavirus since the pandemic began. There were five more deaths Monday, bringing the total to 1,792.

"We're headed to an even darker place than we are right now," Beshear said during his virtual briefing from Frankfort. "That's why we're taking the steps that we're taking to put up a fight against the virus that wants to take those we love."

Kentucky last week had more than 20,000 new cases, breaking the record for the number of cases reported in a single week for the sixth week in a row.

"This is exponential spread, and it is overwhelming us," Beshear said. "That's why we must take action."

Beshear began Monday's press briefing by thanking health care workers and warning Kentuckians if the surge doesn't stop, "we face a shock to our health care system."

"We could soon have more people that need the help from one of those amazing people ... than there are enough of them to help us," he said.

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Beshear said the state's hospitals would run out of staff to care for patients before it runs out of beds or ventilators.

"The challenge is not just that so many people will need the help, but it's the people who provide the help are testing positive ... and so every time that we start running out, we have to bring in other people that don't do it on a daily basis. Outcomes aren't going to be as good," Beshear said.

There were 1,573 Kentuckians in hospitals Monday, including 391 in intensive care units and 203 on ventilators — numbers that have been rising steadily over the past month.

Dr. Steven Stack, the state's public health commissioner, encouraged Kentuckians to comply with the governor's latest restrictions meant to stop the spread of the virus.

"We're going to have a dark winter if we don't pull together," Stack said. "We want to lift as many of these restrictions as fast as we can — as soon as we can feel more confident that it won't be paid for with the loss of human life and harm to other people that need medical and hospital care."

Indiana reported 5,606 new cases and 27 deaths Monday, bringing the state's totals to 300,913 cases and 5,067 deaths.

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Reach Emma Austin at eaustin@gannett.com or on Twitter at @emmacaustin.