Cases of the B.1.1.7 coronavirus variant have doubled in Kentucky in the last week. Gov. Andy Beshear reported that 83 cases of the variant strain have been identified in the commonwealth, up from 41 cases last Monday.
Of those variant COVID-19 cases, 28 cases are in Northern Kentucky. There are 13 cases in Kenton County, eight cases in Campbell County and seven cases in Boone County.
“The No. 1 reason that you ought to go our right now and get the vaccine is we will see an increase in cases if you don’t from the variants,” Beshear said.
As of today, 1,438,557 Kentuckians have received at least their first vaccination dose, Beshear reported.
However, statistics show that there has been a lag in demand for the vaccine, the governor reported. “We should all be just a little bit concerned … that we may have a little slowing of demand,” Beshear said.
Everyone ages 16 and older in Kentucky can now receive the coronavirus vaccine, starting today.
Beshear moved the timeline up to offer the vaccine to more people because of an increase in cases and hospitalizations among young people in some states, he said last week.
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Domestic travel OK for those fully vaccinated
Kentucky is no longer advising travelers to limit domestic travel if they are fully vaccinated, Beshear said. The change is based on new travel guidelines released last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“If you are fully vaccinated, domestic travel, while not fully safe, is pretty safe now, and we are no longer prohibiting and/or advising against it,” Beshear said.
There are further guidelines needed for international travel, based on CDC guidelines, Beshear said.
Variants:What we know about COVID-19 variants in Kentucky, with details about Northern Kentucky
COVID-19 report
Kentucky’s 12-week decline in coronavirus cases ended last week with a slight increase in cases, Beshear reported. The last three weeks have had a fairly level positivity rate, indicating that Kentucky has hit a plateau. Other plateaus have led to an increase, Beshear cautioned.
There was no COVID-19 report issued on Easter Sunday, so Beshear reported numbers for both Sunday and Monday.
Beshear reported 299 new coronavirus cases for Sunday, as well as five new deaths and nine audit deaths.
The state’s positivity rate was 2.89% on Sunday, after reaching 3.00% on Saturday.
Monday’s report may have been impacted by the holiday weekend as some labs were closed.
Beshear reported 110 new coronavirus cases reported for Monday, with four new deaths and four audit deaths.
To date, Kentucky’s death total is 6,171.
The state’s positivity rate currently is 2.9%.
COVID-19 vaccine in Ohio, Kentucky:Who is eligible, how to get an appointment and where to go around Cincinnati
NKY vaccination sites
Kentucky has 573 vaccination sites including several in Northern Kentucky.
The Kroger regional vaccination site at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington is open Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Appointments are required. Go to www.kroger.com/rx/guest/get-vaccinated and type in “Covington, KY” in the search bar or call 866-211-5320.
Other Northern Kentucky vaccination sites include:
- Kroger, 634 Chestnut Drive, Walton.
- Kroger, 7685 Mall Road, Florence.
- Kroger, 9950 Berberich Drive, Florence.
- Kroger, 53 Donnermeyer Drive, Bellevue.
- Walmart, 6711 Alexandria Pike, Alexandria.
- Walmart, 7625 Doering Drive, Florence.
- Walmart, 3450 Valley Plaza Parkway, Fort Wright.
The locations of all the vaccination sites in Northern Kentucky are available at nkyhealth.org.
Go to www.vaccinemap.ky.gov and click on the Current Vaccine Openings button on the bottom of the screen to locate Kentucky vaccination sites reporting open appointments.
COVID-19:Where to find a COVID-19 vaccine in Northern Kentucky
Vaccine website and hotline
Kentucky has a “one-stop shop” website, vaccine.ky.gov, and a hotline to help people find where to get the vaccine and to help determine when they will be eligible for it.
The hotline is 855-598-2246 (TTY 855-326-4654 for hearing impaired) and is available 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday.
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