FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky's death toll from the coronavirus surged Wednesday after another daily record, and some hospitals are being stretched “to the brink” as virus cases escalate, Gov. Andy Beshear said.

Beshear reported 37 more virus-related deaths, eclipsing the previous record of 35 deaths posted Tuesday as the state's total death count since the start of the pandemic approached 2,000. The latest deaths included people ranging in ages from their 40s to their 90s. Six were under the age of 60.

Back-to-back days of record virus deaths underscored the need for people to wear masks and follow other health guidelines, the Democratic governor said. He recently announced new restrictions on in-person gatherings at restaurants, schools and event venues to combat the virus. Those actions sparked criticism from Republican lawmakers, business owners and private schools.

“We simply cannot let Kentucky get to the point of no return where we see deaths pile up like we are seeing in so many other places across the country," Beshear said Wednesday. “We are not surrendering. We are fighting back. That’s not always going to be popular. It’s going to be difficult."

He reported 3,601 new COVID-19 cases, the state's sixth-highest daily total, pushing total cases past 186,000 since the outbreak began. Kentucky's virus-related death total reached at least 1,980.

The statewide rate for positive tests reached 9.62%, up slightly from the previous day.

Nearly 1,770 virus patients are hospitalized in Kentucky, including more than 420 in intensive care, Beshear said. More than 230 virus patients are on ventilators. The recent surge of virus-related hospitalizations is “stretching many of our (hospital) systems to the brink,” the governor warned.

Beshear stressed that compliance with health guidelines and his recently announced restrictions are necessary to curb rising virus cases and protect hospitals from an overflow of patients.

“We have no doubts that if the current exponential growth (of cases) continues, we will go over our hospital capacity or our staffing capacity," he said. “That's why the steps are necessary."

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal. The vast majority of people recover.

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