Gov. Andy Beshear said Thursday that an issue with the state’s vaccine demographics could have led to some vaccinations being counted twice. The state receives data demographics from the federal government.
The state is having conversations with the federal government and expects to have more answers about the issue next week.
“We hope to have some final answers that we can talk about with the federal government making sure that the numbers that we get from them and the providers report to them are correct,” Beshear said. “We have at least some concern that at least in one program, there may have been some double counting. We want to make sure that we get it fully accurate.”
One county reported that 105% of an age group had been vaccinated.
As the state sees declines in the positivity rate, cases and hospitalizations, in most regions ICUs remain at 89% to 100% capacity. As of Wednesday, 9,477 people have died of the virus.
Beshear said the delta variant continues to kill younger people. He also reported that the newest death data includes an infant, who has died from COVID-19.
“That infant, we believe, had multiple issues, complications that the child was facing, but that will be on today's report,” Beshear said. “Because one of those major challenges was COVID-19, something we never want to see. And again, a reminder that it can impact anyone.”
Most people under 50 who have died are unvaccinated.
“This delta variant which continues to be out there continues to be the main strain that we are seeing is killing more people in their 40s and in their 30s than we ever thought was possible,” Beshear said. “But for the most part, it's not getting vaccinated individuals of that age group.”
During the news conference, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman announced she would no longer serve as the Secretary of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet. In a pre-recorded message Coleman said she wants to focus more on the state’s growing economy.
“My focus is lieutenant governor and my commitment to the Beshear/Coleman administration remains the same. It will just look a little different as we respond to the demands of a booming economy,” Coleman said.
Beshear recapped job announcements made earlier in the week. He announced dozens of new jobs will be created by a tourism development project in Pulaski County, a packaging manufacturing plant in Boone County and a new horse racing facility in the Corbin-Williamsburg area.
Beshear said an economy forecast projects estimates the state’s general fund revenue will grow by 5.7%.
