FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 31, 2022) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear said Kentucky’s new COVID-19 cases and the test positivity rate are both trending downward.
“Last week, for the first time in a while, we had fewer new COVID-19 cases than the week before,” said Gov. Beshear. “Our positivity rate is also down. What we hope we are seeing is the beginning of the downward slope in omicron cases. But last week was still the second highest number of cases that we’ve ever had. We need to keep getting vaccinated, getting boosted and wearing masks indoors, but the trajectory on cases is now going in the right direction.”
The Governor also announced more economic development successes as January closes out.
“Today we have even more good news as we close out a banner month,” said Gov. Beshear. “Vector Corrosion Technologies will establish a manufacturing facility in Lexington creating 20 new full-time jobs through a $1 million investment. That means we have announced more than $660 million in investments in January alone and created more than 1,400 jobs in just the last 30 days.”
COVID-19 Case Information, Vaccinations Update
Number of people who have received at least one vaccine dose in Kentucky: 2,845,828
Number of people who have received their vaccination booster in Kentucky: 1,029,065
Jan. 29, Cases: 9,144
Jan. 29, Deaths: 31
Jan. 30, Cases: 5,821
Jan. 30, Deaths: 25
New Cases Today: 4,950
New Deaths: 14
Today’s Positivity Rate: 28.49%
Current Hospitalizations: 2,413
Current Intensive Care Admittances: 454
Currently on Ventilators: 232
During the week ending Jan. 30, 74,376 cases were reported in Kentucky and the average test positivity rate was 28.97%.
Economic Development Update
Gov. Beshear said that this is the best January for new jobs during his term. On Thursday and Friday of last week, Gov. Beshear announced more than 1,200 new jobs for Kentuckians through $291.8 million in new investments.
In total, during January 2022, $660 million in new investments have been secured, creating more than 1,400 quality jobs for Kentuckians.
New economic development projects and expansions include those at 80 Acres Farms, Confluent Health, Levi Strauss, Kroger, Piston Automotive, Novelis, Quadrant Magnetics, Eurofins Genomics, Aristech Surfaces, Rajant, Russellville Dental Lab and Vector Corrosion Technologies.
S&P Revises Outlook from Stable to Positive
Gov. Beshear announced that on Jan. 28, S&P Global Ratings revised Kentucky’s financial outlook to positive from stable and affirmed its “A-” credit ranking. S&P cited a reduced reliance on one-time items to balance the budget and a higher balance in the state’s rainy day fund as primary factors influencing the change.
Kentucky’s continued economic recovery, including significant recent investments in the auto industry such as Ford Motor Co. and SK Innovation’s decision to build two electric battery plants in Hardin County, were cited by S&P as key to the decision to revise Kentucky’s outlook to positive. Kentucky’s continued commitment to fully funding pensions, including funding the actuarially determined contributions, as well as improved governance and a demonstrated willingness to reduce expenditures to balance the budget, were also cited as influencing factors in S&P’s decision.
The improved outlook incorporates the Governor’s 2022-2024 executive branch budget recommendations.
Kentucky Emergency Management Update
Gov. Beshear announced his appointment of Col. Jeremy Slinker as the new director of Kentucky Emergency Management beginning March 1. Col. Slinker will replace the outgoing director, Michael E. Dossett, who is retiring from the agency after more than 44 years of public service.
Col. Slinker has been in public service for almost 30 years. He is currently the director of the Ranger Division for Kentucky State Parks and served with the Kentucky State Police (KSP) for 25 years as a trooper and in all supervisory ranks. He has held command positions in post operations, special operations and drug enforcement/special investigations. In 2016 he was appointed to the KSP command staff as the special enforcement troop commander and in 2017 was promoted as the operations division director.
Utility Bill Assistance
Kentucky has been awarded over $1.5 million through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or (LIHEAP). Eligible households will be able to access vital support with paying utility bills. LIHEAP also provides crisis assistance, weatherization and other services that helps keep Kentuckians in their homes. The $1.5 million is the first installment of a five-year, $500 million investment in LIHEAP provided by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Residents interested in applying for help paying heating and cooling bills may contact Kentucky Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The phone number is 1-866-674-6327.
