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Kentucky reports daily drop in coronavirus cases


FILE - In a Sunday, May 3, 2020 file photo, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear walks through the state's Emergency Operations Center at the Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Ky., on his way to a news conference to provide an update on coronavirus in the state. Gov. Andy Beshear has announced plans to bring back Kentucky's health insurance exchange. The exchange was dismantled by his Republican predecessor. Beshear notified federal officials of his plans to revive the state-based exchange at the start of 2022.  (Ryan C. Hermens/Lexington Herald-Leader via AP)
FILE - In a Sunday, May 3, 2020 file photo, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear walks through the state's Emergency Operations Center at the Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Ky., on his way to a news conference to provide an update on coronavirus in the state. Gov. Andy Beshear has announced plans to bring back Kentucky's health insurance exchange. The exchange was dismantled by his Republican predecessor. Beshear notified federal officials of his plans to revive the state-based exchange at the start of 2022. (Ryan C. Hermens/Lexington Herald-Leader via AP)
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FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Kentucky reported 546 new coronavirus cases Wednesday, down from the previous day as the governor suggested the daily downturn is another sign his mask mandate is working.

Total statewide cases from Monday to Wednesday this week were down by about 100 from the cumulative number during the same period last week, Gov. Andy Beshear said. He saw that as a positive development after weeks of surging cases in the Bluegrass State.

Beshear reported one additional virus-related death, raising the statewide death toll to 752.

But the state's positivity rate — a closely watched barometer reflecting the average number of tests coming back positive for COVID-19 — was up slightly again at 5.51%, he said.

“When we look at the escalation that we were on, we’ve got to stop the growth before we can start diminishing ... both the number of cases, the rate of cases,” he told reporters.

Beshear touted his requirement that people wear masks in public as a crucial action to stop the spread of the virus.

“Even when other parts of the country may be escalating out of control, we can still control our own destiny here in Kentucky by simply doing the small act that shows that we care about one another,” he said.


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