FRANKFORT -- The Kentucky General Assembly’s 2021 session reached one of the milestones Capitol observers eagerly await with this week’s arrival of the deadlines to introduce bills in the Senate and House.

Now, with 881 bills filed for consideration, we have a fairly comprehensive view of the issues lawmakers may consider in the remaining weeks of the session. Legislation filed before the deadline included bills on education, elections, taxes, public safety, gambling, civil rights and numerous other topics.

An issue that has been the subject of many headlines over the past year was taken up by the Senate this week with the passage of legislation that would limit and set guidelines for the use of no-knock warrants, which allow officers to enter a premises without notice.

Under Senate Bill 4, the warrants would be allowed in limited instances when someone was believed to be in immediate danger or in other certain cases, such as those involving violent crimes or terrorism. These warrants would have to be executed by a SWAT team or a response team with special training. The bill would also specify in statute that it would be perjury if an officer made a false statement in an application for a no-knock warrant.

SB 4 passed the Senate on Thursday and now goes to the House.

Other bills that advanced this week include the following:

House Bill 95 is aimed at helping those with diabetes by capping cost-sharing requirements for prescription insulin at $30 per 30-day supply for state-regulated health plans. The legislation passed the House on Tuesday and has been delivered to the Senate.

Senate Bill 10 would establish the Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity. The group would be formed to conduct studies and research on issues where disparities in areas including education, child welfare, health care, the economy and criminal justice system. Senate Bill 10 passed the Senate on Wednesday and has been sent to the House.

House Bill 574 would make some of the election procedures implemented last year to accommodate voting during the pandemic permanent. The legislation would offer Kentuckians three days – including a Saturday – leading up to an election day for early, in-person voting. It would allow county clerks to continue to offer ballot drop boxes for those who do not wish to send their ballots back by mail. It would also counties to offer voting centers where any registered voter in the county could vote. The bill passed the House on Friday and now goes to the Senate.

Senate Bill 67 would allow certain restaurants to sell alcohol, including cocktails, with to-go and delivery orders when purchased with a meal. The bill passed the Senate on Monday and now awaits action in the House.

House Bill 140 would permit telehealth services that were allowed to expand due to COVID-19 pandemic to remain in place even after the pandemic ends. This passed the House and Monday and has been sent to the Senate for consideration.

Lawmakers are now past the halfway point of this year’s session, which is scheduled to end March 30. Citizens are encouraged to follow the issues lawmakers will consider in the weeks ahead and offer feedback. There are many ways to stay in touch with legislative activity. The Kentucky Legislature Home Page, www.legislature.ky.gov, provides information on each of the Commonwealth’s senators and representatives, including phone numbers, addressees, and committee assignments. The site also provides bill texts, a bill-tracking service, and committee meeting schedules.

To offer feedback to issues under consideration to any legislator, call the General Assembly’s Message Line at 800-372-7181.

Severe winter weather forced the Kentucky General Assembly to pause Regular Session activity during the week of February 15. My colleagues and I returned to Frankfort on Monday to resume legislative work on your behalf.

I hope that you and your family remained safe during the period of heavy ice and snowstorms. We really cannot say enough about the men and women who work to keep the roads clear and the lights on. Stories across the Commonwealth included county personnel helping other counties, emergency efforts to get necessities to people who were without, and so much more. During crises, the general good in people shows through, and the storm is braved together. Thank you to all involved in helping restore normalcy. 

Upon legislators returning to Frankfort, the House and Senate got back to work on legislative business with robust committee meeting agendas and policy discussions on the floor, each passing several bills out of their respective chambers this week. 

Bills that are deemed as "priority" seek to address the state's most immediate challenges or focus on areas of the law that are of importance to Kentuckians. Several priority measures relate to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the Commonwealth. Some seek to apply practical solutions to unemployment insurance issues and the economy, while others promote stronger legislative oversight to improve government transparency, among other topics. 

Several priority bills continued through the legislative process this week. They included Senate Bill's 4, 6, 7, and 10. 

Senate Bill 4 is a bipartisan measure that would create procedures and requirements for the issuance of both search warrants and arrest warrants that authorize entry without notice, commonly known as no-knock warrants. They would be allowed for instances where someone was believed to be in immediate danger, such as kidnapping cases. The no-knock warrants would also be allowed when sought in connection to cases involving certain violent crimes, terrorism or weapons of mass destruction. SB 4 serves to make potentially dangerous circumstances safer for both law enforcement and the public while also strengthening the public trust in agencies.

Senate Bill 6 is a priority bill that I am proud to be sponsoring, as it enacts new safeguards to ensure ethical behavior within the executive branch, particularly regarding members of gubernatorial transition teams' actions and behaviors. Transition teams consist of folks who help a Governor-Elect transition from candidate to the official office. They will help select individuals who will serve in the various positions within the Governor-Elect's administration and help determine policy goals and the new administration's general framework. 

If passed, SB 6 would require the existing Executive Branch Ethics Commission to set ethical conduct standards related to transition teams by developing a prototype of ethical conduct agreement for transition team members to sign. It would apply to all members of a transition team and address the role of registered or former lobbyists. Members would be required to disclose certain information, such as their current employer, boards they serve as a member of, and any non-state sources of funds they receive for their, or their spouses, services. Additionally, the bill would prohibit transition team members from accessing non-public information regarding matters that could personally benefit them or their spouse, clients, or business they may belong to. 

Senate Bill 7 is a critical measure that relates to Unemployment Insurance Benefits. This bill is in response to the overpayment of benefits carried out by the executive branch early on in the pandemic. 

The issue of Unemployment Insurance here in the Commonwealth is staggering. How the Division of Unemployment Insurance has handled claims and distribution has resulted in countless backlogs, unanswered phone calls, leaving thousands of frustrated and desperate Kentuckians without the means to provide for their families. People are hurting, and SB 7 is just a small step taken to help remedy that.

Senate Bill 10 also made passage in the Senate. I feel that this measure can lead to meaningful dialogue and create a conducive environment for considering solutions for challenges facing communities across the Commonwealth. If passed, SB 10 would establish a Commission on Race & Access to Opportunity within the legislative branch to conduct studies and research where disparities may exist across sectors of educational equity, healthcare, economic opportunity, criminal justice, and more. The Commission established would have the authority to hold monthly meetings, seek comment and testimony from various individuals and organizations, and provide research to recommend data-driven policy initiatives. 

During this time of great divisiveness, I think it's essential we consider the benefit of sitting with others in honest, open conversation with the intent to listen. No, that will not always lead to an agreement on policy, but it will lead to better understanding and rapport. While we all come from unique backgrounds, Endeavors like SB 10 promote more exact pathways. 

Other bills passing in the Senate included: 

Senate Bill 51 takes a step towards making it easier for doctors to treat patients struggling with substance use disorders by prohibiting insurers from requiring critical evaluations known as utilization reviews (UR). A UR requirement for matters such as addiction treatment can be unnecessarily onerous. Prior authorization requirements can similarly prevent patients from receiving needed treatment when they are ready. Removing requirements on this front can allow us to save lives here in Kentucky. 

Senate Bill 52 closes existing loopholes in state statutes that prevent the punishment of some law enforcement who commit sexual assault. It clarifies that a peace officer who sexually assaults a subject held in custody is guilty of applicable class D felony in which they engaged.

Senate Bill 55 prohibits copayments or cost-sharing from being paid by any medical assistance recipients. It prohibits deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance requirements for Medicaid telehealth services and copayments charged in the Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program (KCHIP). SB 55 applies to Medicaid Services or any Managed Care Organization (MCO) contracted by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

Senate Bill 56 limits the number of MCO contracts to operate the Medicaid program to three. Currently, there are five. Limiting them to three will increase efficiencies within the Medicaid program and lower administrative costs for healthcare providers.

Senate Bill 65 nullifies administrative regulations that were found deficient during the 2020 legislative interim and prohibits their re-enactment for a designated period if identical to or substantially the same. One limitation the legislature found flawed last year would have provided SNAP benefits to parents of children who have chosen to be absent in the child's life.

Senate Bill 67 allows for alcohol purchase to go as long as it is associated with a takeaway or "to-go" food order. All existing laws and regulations on alcohol would apply to alcohol sales, such as recognition of "dry territory" laws and license requirements. 

Senate Bill 93 provides authority to appoint board members to the State Board of Agriculture to the Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture.

Senate Bill 115 seeks to build on the Read to Achieve (RTA) program’s tremendous success by increasing access to its successful model to more students.

Senate Bill 148 declares the need for childcare in our communities as essential by requiring CHFS to identify emergency care providers who provide vital child care services during a state of emergency. It addresses a problem many families have struggled with throughout the last year concerning available childcare. The bill would return childcare classroom sizes to pre-COVID-19 numbers and allow them to combine classes during the opening and closing hours once again.

Bills making it to the governor last week for his consideration included SB 3 and HB 6. SB 3 moves the current Governor's Office for Agriculture Policy, also known as GOAP, under the Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture's jurisdiction. HB 6 changes the Program Review Committee's name to "Legislative Oversight and Investigations Committee" and amends the Committee's duties to lean more towards investigations and corruption, misconduct, etc., misfeasance in state government.

As you can see, the General Assembly is not taking any time for granted. We are now past the halfway point of the 2021 Regular Session, with much work left to do. I will continue to provide weekly legislative updates in the weeks ahead. God Bless. 

If you have any questions or comments about these issues or any other public policy issue, please call me toll-free at 1-800-372-7181 or email me Max.Wise@LRC.ky.gov or you can review the Legislature’s work online at www.legislature.ky.gov.

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Note:  Senator Max Wise (R-Campbellsville) represents the 16th District which encompasses Adair, Clinton, Cumberland, McCreary, Russell, Taylor, and Wayne Counties.  He is Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Education; as well as co-chairman of the Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee. Senator Wise also serves as a member of the Senate Standing Committees on Health and Welfare; Agriculture; and Transportation. Additionally, Senator Wise serves as a member on the Budget Review Subcommittee on Education. For a high-resolution .jpeg of Senator Wise, please visit:

On Monday, March 1st at 9:00 AM EST/8:00 AM CST LCDHD will be scheduling appointments for anyone in Phase 1a and 1b including those 70 and older. Despite the announcement that 1C appointments are now available in some areas, we have not completed the 1a and 1b population in our District. Therefore, we will continue to schedule appointments for 1a and 1b including those 70 and older at this time. Please do not call early as the phone systems will not be turned on until 9 AM EST/ 8 AM CST. Please do not leave your information on our answering machine/voice mail as the messages will not be returned. We will have 30 phone lines open and 15 to 20 operators on Monday morning. Demand will be greater than the supply, and we apologize in advance for not being able to accommodate everyone. Only people with an appointment will receive the vaccinations. Once the vaccine appointments are full, the phone system message will notify the callers that no appointments are available.

The numbers to call are listed below:

Adair County: 270-384-2286

Casey County: 606-787-6911

Clinton County: 606-387-5711

Cumberland County: 270-864-2206

Green County: 270-932-4341

McCreary County: 606-376-2412

Pulaski County 606-679-4416

Russell County: 270-343-2181

Taylor County: 270-465-4191

Wayne County: 606-348-9349 

We are excited to announce that we will be returning to In-Person learning 4 days per week! Please notice the dates as each school may vary a little upon return. Until we return to 4 days per week we will continue the current Hybrid Purple/Gold learning days. The 4 days for In-Person Learning will be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Wednesday will continue to be a Virtual Learning day.

We will continue to follow the Governor and KDE’s Guidance for Safety Expectations and Best Practices for Kentucky Schools. We know this will create some situations in some classrooms where 6 ft. social distancing can’t be maintained 100% of the time, but we feel with proper masking we can provide a very safe environment for all students. Virtual learners may continue to learn as they have been this school year. If a virtual learner would like to return to In-Person Learning please contact your school principal.

CES - Begins 4 days per week on Monday, March 8th

iEagle, CMS and CHS begins 4 days per week on Monday, March 15th

In regards to food service, beginning when your school returns to 4 days per week, all in-person students will be able to eat breakfast and lunch at school each day. The all virtual learning students will continue to receive the same food delivery service. 

Edmonton, KY (February 25, 2021) On February 24th, 2021 at approximately 11:45 AM Kentucky State Police Post 15 was notified of a two vehicle injury collision that occurred two miles south of Summer Shade at the intersection of KY 163 and Apple Grove Rd. Preliminary investigations indicate that 86 year old Jack Gibbins of Summer Shade was operating a 2008 GMC south bound when he turned left into the path of a 1992 north bound Chevy S10 operated by 67 year old Jackie Emberton of Tompkinsville, KY. Emberton was unable to avoid the collision and struck Gibbons in the passenger side.
 

Emberton was not wearing a seat belt and was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Metcalfe County Coroner. Gibbons and a passenger in his vehicle, 80 year old Martha Gibbons of Summer Shade were both wearing a seat belt. Jack Gibbons was airlifted to Vanderbilt University Hospital where he is listed in critical condition. Martha Gibbons was admitted to T.J. Sampson hospital in Glasgow, KY.
 

This Collison remains under investigation by Trooper Jason Warinner. 
 

Statewide Testing Positivity Rate: 5.9%.

Deaths: We are sad to report 5 new deaths today. We have experienced a total of 357 deaths resulting in a 1.77% mortality rate (about 1 in 56) among known cases. This compares with a 1.13% mortality rate at the state level, and a 1.78% mortality rate at the national level. Our hearts and prayers go out to all the families and friends who have lost loved ones.

Hospitalizations: We presently have 29 cases in the hospital. This is 13 less than what we reported yesterday. We have had a total of 1,109 hospitalizations resulting in a 5.51% hospitalization rate (about 1 in 18) among known cases. The state hospitalization rate is 4.71%. The latest data shows that 97.78% of Lake Cumberland’s ICU beds are filled, and 14.52% of ventilator capacity is being utilized.

Total (Cumulative) Cases: The Lake Cumberland District has experienced a total of 20,136 cases since the onset of the outbreak. This means that 9.64% of our total population have been a confirmed case. However, we do not know how many additional people may have had COVID-19 and were either asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and never tested.

Released (Not contagious) Cases: We released 76 cases today from isolation. Released cases include: Adair: 11; Casey: 4; Clinton: 3; Cumberland: 5; Green: 6; McCreary: 3; Pulaski: 13; Russell: 8; Taylor: 13; and, Wayne: 10. In all, we have released 96.3% of our total cases.

Active (Current) Cases: Taking into account deaths and releases, our active cases decreased by 12 more than the new cases we added today. This leaves us with 381 active cases in our district across all 10 of our district’s 10 counties. On 12/10/2020 we were at our peak number of active cases, 1,342.

Where Did Cases Visit Prior to Isolation: The most common places cases visited prior to isolation are (in descending order): Businesses, Family, Schools, and Medical Facilities. Of our active cases, 7% can not be tied back to another known case (community-spread cases).

New Cases: We report that our total case count has increased by 69 today: Adair: 6; Casey: 1; Clinton: 3; Green: 6; McCreary: 3; Pulaski: 17; Russell: 5; Taylor: 27; and, Wayne: 1. Our current new case growth rate is: 1.003. This means our total case count is projected to double every 214.59 days. The most new cases we ever added in a single day was on 12/30/2020 when we added 301 cases. Today’s new cases include:

Adair: A 53-year-old female who is released, Resolved;
Adair: A 71-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 19-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 30-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 74-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 20-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 47-year-old female who is released, Resolved;
Clinton: A 36-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 32-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 54-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Green: A 22-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 24-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 43-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 36-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 25-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 27-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 20-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 59-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 66-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 75-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 23-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 21-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 34-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 69-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 52-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 9-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 88-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 33-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 24-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 25-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 24-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 75-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 43-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 59-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 27-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 30-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 37-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 72-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 80-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 79-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 35-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 13-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 33-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 5-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 1-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 37-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 31-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 1-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 33-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 28-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 29-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 19-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 35-year-old male who is released, Resolved;
Taylor: A 67-year-old male who is released, Resolved;
Taylor: A 18-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 72-year-old male who is released, Resolved;
Taylor: A 33-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 51-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Taylor: A 22-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Taylor: A 44-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 13-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 5-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 18-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 77-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 51-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 48-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 18-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 54-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 69-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;

A close look at our date may appear that McCreary and Russell’s numbers are off today. This is because we moved one McCreary case to Russell.

The deaths we report today are: a 62-year-old individual from McCreary who had been hospitalized, who had been released from public health observation as no longer contagious but later succumbed to lasting complications from the illness; a 58-year-old individual from Pulaski who had been hospitalized; a 66-year-old individual from Pulaski who had been hospitalized; a 71-year-old individual from Pulaski who had been hospitalized; and a 72-year-old individual from Taylor who had been hospitalized.

We added more cases today than last Wednesday, so our 7-day average incidence rate went up. We still have 5 counties in the “orange-critical” range of community-spread: Casey, Clinton, McCreary, Pulaski, and Wayne. We have 5 counties are in the “red-critical” range of community-spread: Adair, Cumberland, Green, Russell, and Taylor.

Please, let’s all do our part in slowing the spread of COVID-19 by wearing our face coverings, avoiding crowds (especially in confined spaces), social distancing when around others, increasing our hand hygiene, increasing our general sanitation, and by avoiding touching our faces.

The Lake Cumberland area has experienced 20,136 cumulative confirmed cases and there have been 400,960 confirmed COVID-19 cases across all 120 Kentucky Counties as of today (this includes 400,307 statewide plus 653 recently reported cases in Lake Cumberland not in the Governor’s/Department for Public Health’s daily report). Regardless of the confirmed case count for any Lake Cumberland County, we believe COVID-19 to be widespread. The LCDHD is working tirelessly, including nights and weekends, to identify and contact all those with whom any positive case may have come into close contact, and to follow-up with positive cases when ready to be released. Additionally, we are striving diligently to follow-up on business-related complaints regarding noncompliance with the COVID-19 guidance. We are also working with any community partner that requests assistance for prevention or post-exposure planning/response. Finally, we are working with all community partners regarding vaccination planning.

https://www.lcdhd.org/info-tools/health-assessments-and-statistics/health_report_card/covid19-state-wide-outbreak-2/covid-19-media-public/daily-brief/

#TeamKentucky

#TogetherKY

Statewide Testing Positivity Rate: 6.3%.

Deaths: We are happy to report no new deaths today. We have experienced a total of 352 deaths resulting in a 1.75% mortality rate (about 1 in 57) among known cases. This compares with a 1.12% mortality rate at the state level, and a 1.78% mortality rate at the national level.

Hospitalizations: We presently have 42 cases in the hospital. This is 3 less than what we reported yesterday. We have had a total of 1,108 hospitalizations resulting in a 5.52% hospitalization rate (about 1 in 18) among known cases. The state hospitalization rate is 4.7%. The latest data shows that 88.89% of Lake Cumberland’s ICU beds are filled, and 30.65% of ventilator capacity is being utilized.

Total (Cumulative) Cases: The Lake Cumberland District has experienced a total of 20,067 cases since the onset of the outbreak. This means that 9.61% of our total population have been a confirmed case. However, we do not know how many additional people may have had COVID-19 and were either asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and never tested.

Released (Not contagious) Cases: We released 88 cases today from isolation. Released cases include: Adair: 7; Casey: 3; Clinton: 5; Cumberland: 2; McCreary: 13; Pulaski: 15; Russell: 18; Taylor: 21; and, Wayne: 4. In all, we have released 96.3% of our total cases.

Active (Current) Cases: We added 3 more cases today than we had deceased and/or released cases. This leaves us with 393 active cases in our district across all 10 of our district’s 10 counties. On 12/10/2020 we were at our peak number of active cases, 1,342.

Where Did Cases Visit Prior to Isolation: The most common places cases visited prior to isolation are (in descending order): Businesses, Schools, Family, and Medical Facilities. Of our active cases, 8% can not be tied back to another known case (community-spread cases).

New Cases: We report that our total case count has increased by 91 today: Adair: 10; Casey: 4; Clinton: 3; Cumberland: 2; Green: 5; McCreary: 5; Pulaski: 36; Russell: 9; Taylor: 10; and, Wayne: 7. Our current new case growth rate is: 1.003. This means our total case count is projected to double every 223.37 days. The most new cases we ever added in a single day was on 12/30/2020 when we added 301 cases. Today’s new cases include:

Adair: A 68-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 22-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Adair: A 45-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 19-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 34-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 61-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 23-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 21-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 31-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 49-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 23-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 51-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 59-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 65-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 68-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 17-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 60-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Cumberland: A 19-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Cumberland: A 60-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Green: A 15-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 34-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 51-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 61-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 69-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 65-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 20-year-old female who is released, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 29-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 12-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 16-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 55-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 13-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 22-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 71-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 62-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 23-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 60-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 45-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 51-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 64-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Pulaski: A 44-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 64-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 50-year-old male who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 27-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 32-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 60-year-old female who is released, Resolved;
Pulaski: A 61-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 96-year-old male who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 57-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 61-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 55-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Pulaski: A 36-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 29-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 46-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 61-year-old female who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 5-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 70-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 38-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 23-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 54-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 24-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Pulaski: A 36-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 21-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 68-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 3M-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 80-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Russell: A 15-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 9-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 9-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 12-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 38-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 41-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Russell: A 22-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 30-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 73-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 19-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 41-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 82-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 16-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 24-year-old male who is released, Resolved;
Taylor: A 26-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 17-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 18-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 51-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 22-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 45-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 79-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 20-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 17-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 32-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 12-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 11-year-old male who is released, 2/22/21;

We added more cases today than last Tuesday, so our 7-day average incidence rate went up. We still have 5 counties in the “orange-critical” range of community-spread: Casey, Clinton, McCreary, Pulaski, and Wayne. We have 5 counties are in the “red-critical” range of community-spread: Adair, Cumberland, Green, Russell, and Taylor.

Schools have moved back into second place for the most common place visited before a positive case is isolated. While the kids are the least likely to get sick from the virus, and while the staff are in the vaccination process, there is concern that community-spread will happen between the kids at school and then from the kids to their parents and grandparents, then to work and church. The bottom-line, we shouldn’t become caviler with following the guidance.

While more and more vaccine sites are opening in our area and more and more vaccine is flowing in, until the vaccine is widely available, let’s all do our part in slowing the spread of COVID-19 by wearing our face coverings, avoiding crowds (especially in confined spaces), social distancing when around others, increasing our hand hygiene, increasing our general sanitation, and by avoiding touching our faces.

The Lake Cumberland area has experienced 20,067 cumulative confirmed cases and there have been 399,683 confirmed COVID-19 cases across all 120 Kentucky Counties as of today (this includes 399,013 statewide plus 670 recently reported cases in Lake Cumberland not in the Governor’s/Department for Public Health’s daily report). Regardless of the confirmed case count for any Lake Cumberland County, we believe COVID-19 to be widespread. The LCDHD is working tirelessly, including nights and weekends, to identify and contact all those with whom any positive case may have come into close contact, and to follow-up with positive cases when ready to be released. Additionally, we are striving diligently to follow-up on business-related complaints regarding noncompliance with the COVID-19 guidance. We are also working with any community partner that requests assistance for prevention or post-exposure planning/response. Finally, we are working with all community partners regarding vaccination planning.

https://www.lcdhd.org/info-tools/health-assessments-and-statistics/health_report_card/covid19-state-wide-outbreak-2/covid-19-media-public/daily-brief/

#TeamKentucky

#TogetherKY

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A legislative panel took no action on impeachment petitions pending against Kentucky's governor and attorney general after meeting behind closed doors for more than an hour Monday.

Republican Rep. Jason Nemes, the committee chairman, said the petitions were discussed during the executive session but the panel reached "no final resolution."

Nemes didn't immediately schedule another meeting.

Two citizens petitions against Gov. Andy Beshear have been dismissed, but another is pending. Petitions claimed the Democratic governor improperly infringed on individual rights with his coronavirus-related orders.

Beshear says there are "zero grounds" for his removal and maintains his COVID-19 orders have saved lives. Kentucky's Supreme Court ruled last year that the governor had the authority to put restrictions on businesses and individuals to try to contain COVID-19.

The petition calling for Attorney General Daniel Cameron's impeachment includes three grand jurors who criticized his handling of the investigation into Breonna Taylor's shooting death by police.

Cameron has stood by his investigation into the Black woman's death, which fueled protests over racial injustice. He says his team followed the law and presented a thorough case to the grand jury, adding that the petition against him was "so lacking in legal and factual support" it should be dismissed.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – Kentucky’s COVID-19 numbers continued to move in the right direction and it was announced that those in priority group 1C will be able to start getting vaccinated in March.

“We’re reporting just 530 new cases of COVID-19,” Gov. Andy Beshear said during a Monday press briefing.  “That is the lowest number since October 5.”

No counties had more than 100 cases on Monday.  Those with the most were Jefferson 95, Fayette 30, Oldham 24, Campbell 21, Kenton 20, Boone 19, Laurel and Warren 15, McCracken 14, and Carter and Franklin both reported 13.

There have now been 397,526 positive cases of the coronavirus in Kentucky.

The number of deaths reported to state public health officials on Monday stood at 13, down from 21 on Sunday, and bringing the pandemic total to 4,460, since the first death last March.

The latest victims’ ages ranged from 56 to 93.  Jefferson County reported six; Fayette and Shelby counties each had two; and there were one each in Bullitt, Daviess, and Mercer counties.

A total of 870 Kentuckians were hospitalized on Monday.  Of them, 243 were in the ICU and 119 were on a ventilator.  All three figures represent decreases from Sunday.

Kentucky’s positivity rate dropped to 6.60% on Monday, based on a seven-day rolling average.  This continues a four-day slide since it stood at 7.07% last Thursday.

The number of red zone counties, those with an incidence rate of 25 or more per 100,000 population, also dropped on Monday to 34.  You may recall that for several months, all 120 counties were in the red zone.

Gov. Beshear also announced that the regional COVID-19 vaccination centers will move to priority group 1C, starting March 1.  That group includes everyone over the age of 60, anyone age 16 or older with CDC highest risk COVID-19 risk conditions, and all essential workers.

“We expect that local health departments and others will also begin vaccinating 1C individuals, but we’re going to be asking them to be more targeted,” he stated.  “We are asking our providers to prioritize those in that group based on age, which is Kentuckians age 60 to 70.  That’s at our regional vaccination sites, and it’s also with our local health departments and pharmacies.”

Although restaurant and bar employees are among the more than one million Kentuckians who are in priority group 1C, Beshear says there is no timetable yet on when they can return to 100% of capacity, but it won’t be in the immediate future. 

“I think every public health official would say that would be a major mistake,” he said.  “But that doesn’t mean we can’t loosen a little bit and encourage everybody to continue really good practices.”

In accordance with a proclamation issued by the White House, the governor has directed that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff until sunset on Friday, Feb. 26, to commemorate the milestone of more than 500,000 American lives lost to COVID-19, and encourages individuals, businesses and organizations throughout the state to join in this tribute.

Kentucky continues recovery efforts from the three winter storms in eight days, Beshear said, where electricity is still out in parts of the east.  “It has gotten significantly warmer, and that is going to help.  We have 80+ Kentucky National Guard members helping, our Division of Forestry is helping the clear roads, out Kentucky State Police out there as well.”

Kentucky Power still has the most customers without power, he noted.  “They have a huge number of individuals, I think close to 2,000, that are working to restore power in that area.”

The website poweroutage.us, reported just over 18,000 customers without electricity, late Monday afternoon.

To see the full daily COVID-19 report for Kentucky, which includes such information as the red zone counties and red zone recommendations, testing locations, the weekly White House Coronavirus Task Force reports for Kentucky, executive orders, and other information on the state’s pandemic response, go to kycovid19.ky.gov.

Gov. Beshear’s next scheduled live press briefing will be Tuesday afternoon at 4 and can be viewed on both his Facebook page and YouTube channel. 

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (Feb. 22, 2021) – Kentucky Transportation Cabinet highway crews are using a break in winter weather conditions to address maintenance issues this week along state maintained routes.

Tuesday, on Interstate 65 in Hardin County, crews will be closing left and center northbound lanes to collect survey data for improving drainage between Exit 91 and the US 31W overpass. At the same time, another crew will be repairing a large pothole in the northbound center lane just north of the survey location. Southbound lanes will not be affected. Work will begin at approximately 9am and should be complete by Noon. Motorists should pay close attention to signage and be prepared to merge into the right lane upon approaching the Exit 91 vicinity. Expect slow moving and/or stopped traffic ahead.

Other maintenance crews throughout the district will also be using this week to fill potholes. Motorists should expect to see these activities in various locations and be prepared to slow down or stop for the safety of everyone.

Citizens can report road hazards, including potholes, under the "Contact Us" menu at the top of the KYTC Website found here: http://transportation.ky.gov

Statewide Testing Positivity Rate: 6.6%.

Deaths: We are pleased to report no new deaths today. We have experienced a total of 352 deaths resulting in a 1.76% mortality rate (about 1 in 57) among known cases. This compares with a 1.12% mortality rate at the state level, and a 1.77% mortality rate at the national level.

Hospitalizations: We presently have 45 cases in the hospital. This is 3 more than what we reported yesterday. We have had a total of 1,103 hospitalizations resulting in a 5.52% hospitalization rate (about 1 in 18) among known cases. The state hospitalization rate is 4.69%. The latest data shows that 91.11% of Lake Cumberland’s ICU beds are filled, and 28.33% of ventilator capacity is being utilized.

Total (Cumulative) Cases: The Lake Cumberland District has experienced a total of 19,976 cases since the onset of the outbreak. This means that 9.56% of our total population have been a confirmed case. However, we do not know how many additional people may have had COVID-19 and were either asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and never tested.

Released (Not contagious) Cases: We released 134 cases today from isolation. Released cases include: Adair: 13; Casey: 5; Clinton: 7; Cumberland: 3; Green: 7; McCreary: 15; Pulaski: 38; Russell: 10; Taylor: 24; and, Wayne: 12. In all, we have released 96.3% of our total cases.

Active (Current) Cases: Taking into account deaths and releases, our active cases decreased by 22 more than the new cases we added today. This leaves us with 390 active cases in our district across all 10 of our district’s 10 counties. On 12/10/2020 we were at our peak number of active cases, 1,342.

Where Did Cases Visit Prior to Isolation: The most common places cases visited prior to isolation are (in descending order): Businesses, Schools, Family, and Jail/Prison Related. Of our active cases, 11% can not be tied back to another known case (community-spread cases).

New Cases: We report that our total case count has increased by 112 today: Adair: 7; Casey: 5; Clinton: 5; Cumberland: 1; Green: 7; McCreary: 8; Pulaski: 25; Russell: 12; Taylor: 36; and, Wayne: 6. Our current new case growth rate is: 1.003. This means our total case count is projected to double every 243.46 days. The most new cases we ever added in a single day was on 12/30/2020 when we added 301 cases. Today’s new cases include:

Adair: A 32-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 71-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 9-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 47-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 45-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 61-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 56-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 45-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 49-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 19-year-old female who is self-isolated, Lost to follow up;
Casey: A 56-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 65-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 39-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 30-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 64-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 63-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 62-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Cumberland: A 59-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 17-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 38-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 17-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Green: A 15-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 62-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Green: A 25-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 27-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 20-year-old female who is released, 2/19/21;
McCreary: A 83-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 2months-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 41-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 61-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 18-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 46-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 22-year-old female who is released, 2/21/21;
Pulaski: A 57-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 54-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 36-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 66-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 26-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 8-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 2-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 9-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 43-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 36-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 65-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 19-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 69-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 67-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 26-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 18-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 23-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 70-year-old female who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 78-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 77-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 27-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 26-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 80-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 75-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Pulaski: A 71-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 69-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Russell: A 52-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 60-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 22-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 15-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 50-year-old female who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 31-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 65-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 28-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 4-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 55-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 53-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 26-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Taylor: A 22-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 18-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Taylor: A 49-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 67-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 43-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 29-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 44-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 19-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 28-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 64-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 34-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 34-year-old female who is released, Resolved;
Taylor: A 18-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 64-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 59-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 28-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 29-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 48-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 13-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 69-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 38-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 23-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 48-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 62-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 19-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 62-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 19-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 33-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 43-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 4-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 26-year-old male who is released, Resolved;
Taylor: A 72-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 32-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 37-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 61-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 71-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 78-year-old male who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 72-year-old female who is released, Resolved;
Wayne: A 28-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 65-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 12-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;

A close look at our data may appear that Pulaski and Taylor’s numbers are off. This is because we moved 1 case from Pulaski to Taylor.

We added more cases today than last Monday. This could be due to more people being tested post-blizzard. It will be next week before we can really see if our case rates are continuing to go down. In any event, our district-wide 7-day average incidence rate went up slightly today.

We now have 5 counties in the “orange-critical” range of community-spread: Casey, Clinton, McCreary, Pulaski, and Wayne. Only 5 counties are in the “red-critical” range of community-spread: Adair, Cumberland, Green, Russell, and Taylor. Last week, all 10 of our 10 counties were in the “red-critical” range of community-spread.

With more and more vaccine sites opening and more and more vaccine coming into our area, the end of this pandemic is approaching. To prevent a resurgence of the disease, let’s all do our part in slowing the spread of COVID-19 by wearing our face coverings, avoiding crowds (especially in confined spaces), social distancing when around others, increasing our hand hygiene, increasing our general sanitation, and by avoiding touching our faces.

The Lake Cumberland area has experienced 19,976 cumulative confirmed cases and there have been 398,212 confirmed COVID-19 cases across all 120 Kentucky Counties as of today (this includes 397,526 statewide plus 686 recently reported cases in Lake Cumberland not in the Governor’s/Department for Public Health’s daily report). Regardless of the confirmed case count for any Lake Cumberland County, we believe COVID-19 to be widespread. The LCDHD is working tirelessly, including nights and weekends, to identify and contact all those with whom any positive case may have come into close contact, and to follow-up with positive cases when ready to be released. Additionally, we are striving diligently to follow-up on business-related complaints regarding noncompliance with the COVID-19 guidance. We are also working with any community partner that requests assistance for prevention or post-exposure planning/response. Finally, we are working with all community partners regarding vaccination planning.

For more statistics and local data go to LCDHD COVID-19 Information.

https://www.lcdhd.org/info-tools/health-assessments-and-statistics/health_report_card/covid19-state-wide-outbreak-2/covid-19-media-public/daily-brief/

#TeamKentucky

#TogetherKY

Statewide Testing Positivity Rate: 6.77%.

Deaths: We are pleased to report no new deaths today. We have experienced a total of 352 deaths resulting in a 1.77% mortality rate (about 1 in 56) among known cases. This compares with a 1.12% mortality rate at the state level, and a 1.77% mortality rate at the national level.

Hospitalizations: We presently have 42 cases in the hospital. This is 3 more than what we reported yesterday. We have had a total of 1,100 hospitalizations resulting in a 5.54% hospitalization rate (about 1 in 18) among known cases. The state hospitalization rate is 4.69%. The latest data shows that 86.67% of Lake Cumberland’s ICU beds are filled, and 35.48% of ventilator capacity is being utilized.

Total (Cumulative) Cases: The Lake Cumberland District has experienced a total of 19,864 cases since the onset of the outbreak. This means that 9.51% of our total population have been a confirmed case. However, we do not know how many additional people may have had COVID-19 and were either asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and never tested.

Released (Not contagious) Cases: We released 89 cases today from isolation. Released cases include: Adair: 2; Casey: 2; Clinton: 6; Cumberland: 1; Green: 5; McCreary: 10; Pulaski: 16; Russell: 11; Taylor: 25; and, Wayne: 11. In all, we have released 96.2% of our total cases.

Active (Current) Cases: Taking into account deaths and releases, our active cases decreased by 36 more than the new cases we added today. This leaves us with 412 active cases in our district across all 10 of our district’s 10 counties. On 12/10/2020 we were at our peak number of active cases, 1,342.

Where Did Cases Visit Prior to Isolation: The most common places cases visited prior to isolation are (in descending order): Businesses, Schools, Family, and Jail/Prison Related. Of our active cases, 15% can not be tied back to another known case (community-spread cases).

New Cases: We report that our total case count has increased by 53 today: Adair: 4; Casey: 1; Clinton: 1; Cumberland: 5; Green: 3; McCreary: 8; Pulaski: 7; Russell: 8; and, Taylor: 16. Our current new case growth rate is: 1.003. This means our total case count is projected to double every 257.27 days. The most new cases we ever added in a single day was on 12/30/2020 when we added 301 cases. Today’s new cases include:

Adair: A 52-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 49-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Adair: A 44-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Adair: A 42-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Casey: A 42-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 15-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Cumberland: A 33-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Cumberland: A 32-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Cumberland: A 8-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Cumberland: A 11-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Cumberland: A 6-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 21-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 34-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 16-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 65-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 52-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 7-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 5-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 20-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 47-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 21-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 49-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 51-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 62-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 23-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 55-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 42-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 37-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 66-year-old female who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 60-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 21-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 50-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 44-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 41-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 57-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 30-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 46-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 42-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 69-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 36-year-old male who is released, Asymptomatic;
Taylor: A 22-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 63-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 59-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 56-year-old male who is released, Resolved;
Taylor: A 38-year-old male who is released, Resolved;
Taylor: A 25-year-old male who is released, Resolved;
Taylor: A 39-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 12-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 20-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 34-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 46-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 15-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 28-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;

We added 371 new cases this week compared to 713 last week. While the blizzard may have had something to do with this (people could not get out to test), we are happy for the lower numbers. New cases are also dropping on the world, national, and state level. We have 412 active cases today compared to 707 last Saturday. For the first time in 4 weeks, our new case rate is lower than the state’s new case rate. We experienced 5 deaths this week compared to 10 last week. We have 42 hospitalized cases today compared to 41 last Saturday.

We now have 5 counties in the “orange-critical” range of community-spread: Casey, Clinton, McCreary, Pulaski, and Wayne. Only 5 counties are in the “red-critical” range of community-spread: Adair, Cumberland, Green, Russell, and Taylor. Last week, all 10 of our 10 counties were in the “red-critical” range of community-spread.

With more and more vaccine sites opening and more and more vaccine coming into our area, the end of this pandemic is approaching. To prevent a resurgence of the disease, let’s all do our part in slowing the spread of COVID-19 by wearing our face coverings, avoiding crowds (especially in confined spaces), social distancing when around others, increasing our hand hygiene, increasing our general sanitation, and by avoiding touching our faces.

The Lake Cumberland area has experienced 19,864 cumulative confirmed cases and there have been 396,645 confirmed COVID-19 cases across all 120 Kentucky Counties as of today (this includes 396,018 statewide plus 627 recently reported cases in Lake Cumberland not in the Governor’s/Department for Public Health’s daily report). Regardless of the confirmed case count for any Lake Cumberland County, we believe COVID-19 to be widespread. The LCDHD is working tirelessly, including nights and weekends, to identify and contact all those with whom any positive case may have come into close contact, and to follow-up with positive cases when ready to be released. Additionally, we are striving diligently to follow-up on business-related complaints regarding noncompliance with the COVID-19 guidance. We are also working with any community partner that requests assistance for prevention or post-exposure planning/response. Finally, we are working with all community partners regarding vaccination planning.

For more statistics and local data go to LCDHD COVID-19 Information.

https://www.lcdhd.org/info-tools/health-assessments-and-statistics/health_report_card/covid19-state-wide-outbreak-2/covid-19-media-public/daily-brief/

#TeamKentucky

#TogetherKY

On February 20, 2021 at approximately 0048 hours, Hodgenville Police Department was dispatched to a one vehicle wreck on the Lincoln Square.

Preliminary investigation has revealed; a 2005 Hyundai SUV operated by Mary Vincent of Greensburg KY, was traveling West on East Main Street coming towards town. Mrs. Vincent failed to negotiate the traffic circle and traveled through the square, causing damage to lights, decorations, and a truck being used as a decoration.

Mrs. Vincent was assessed on scene by Larue County EMS and refused treatment and transport.

CPL Jordan Whitlow conducted Standardized Field Sobriety Test and determined Mrs. Vincent was under the influence of alcohol.

Officer James Sherrard placed Mrs. Vincent under arrest, charging her with DUI 1^st, Criminal Mischief 1^st Deg., and Failure of Owner to Maintain Insurance 1^st.

Deputy K. Kirkpatrick assisted on scene.

Vincent was lodged in the Larue County Jail.   

- Taylor Regional Hospital was selected February 18, 2021 to be a regional vaccination center for administering the COVID-19 vaccine. Taylor Regional will receive a weekly allotment of 300 doses of vaccine and will begin administering the vaccine in Campbellsville the week of February 22nd . At this time, vaccines will be available for individuals in Tiers 1A (long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities and healthcare personnel) and Tier 1B (first responders, anyone age 70 or older, and K-12 school personnel). Anyone who is in Tier 1A or 1B and would like to receive the Covid-19 vaccine should visit www.trhosp.org for the latest information and scheduling information. Because vaccine supply is limited and demand is great, Taylor Regional asks those interested in receiving a vaccine to be patient with the process. Vaccines will be provided by appointment only in the COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic, building (formerly the old Physical Therapy Building) adjacent to the Emergency Room.

Campbellsville, KY (February 16, 2021) On February 12th, 2021 Kentucky State Police Post 15 responded to Burdick School Rd in reference to a vehicle that was stolen from a driveway. Upon arrival, Trooper Weston Sullivan was informed by the owner of the vehicle he had started his 2005 Cadillac to let it warm up and shortly after the car was gone. A couple hours later the vehicle was located in the Kroger parking lot on Broadway by off duty Trooper Billy Begley. Julian Underwood, age 35 of Louisville, KY was operating the vehicle. Tpr. Sullivan responded to the location arresting and charging Underwood with TBUT auto- $500 or more but U/$10,000, criminal trespassing – 3rd degree, operating on a suspended or revoked license and DUI 1st offense. Underwood was lodged in the Taylor County Detention Center.

 

Statewide Testing Positivity Rate: 6.58%.

Deaths: We are happy to report no new deaths today. We have experienced a total of 346 deaths resulting in a 1.76% mortality rate (about 1 in 57) among known cases. This compares with a 1.11% mortality rate at the state level, and a 1.76% mortality rate at the national level.

Hospitalizations: We presently have 56 cases in the hospital. This is 1 more than what we reported yesterday. We have had a total of 1,088 hospitalizations resulting in a 5.54% hospitalization rate (about 1 in 18) among known cases. The state hospitalization rate is 4.65%. The latest data shows that 91.11% of Lake Cumberland’s ICU beds are filled, and 27.42% of ventilator capacity is being utilized.

Total (Cumulative) Cases: The Lake Cumberland District has experienced a total of 19,636 cases since the onset of the outbreak. This means that 9.4% of our total population have been a confirmed case. However, we do not know how many additional people may have had COVID-19 and were either asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and never tested.

Released (Not contagious) Cases: We released 94 cases today from isolation. Released cases include: Adair: 3; Casey: 6; Clinton: 4; Cumberland: 1; Green: 10; McCreary: 13; Pulaski: 22; Russell: 15; Taylor: 14; and, Wayne: 6. In all, we have released 95.2% of our total cases.

Active (Current) Cases: Taking into account deaths and releases, our active cases decreased by 40 more than the new cases we added today. This leaves us with 591 active cases in our district across all 10 of our district’s 10 counties. On 12/10/2020 we were at our peak number of active cases, 1,342.

Where Did Cases Visit Prior to Isolation: The most common places cases visited prior to isolation are (in descending order): Businesses, Family, Schools, and Jail/Prison Related. Of our active cases, 13% can not be tied back to another known case (community-spread cases).

New Cases: We report that our total case count has increased by 54 today: Adair: 2; Casey: 5; Green: 6; Pulaski: 9; Russell: 8; Taylor: 23; and, Wayne: 1. Our current new case growth rate is: 1.004. This means our total case count is projected to double every 157.86 days. The most new cases we ever added in a single day was on 12/30/2020 when we added 301 cases. Today’s new cases include:

Adair: A 25-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 60-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 10 Months-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 75-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 46-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 21-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 44-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 72-year-old female who is released, Resolved;
Green: A 31-year-old male who is released, Resolved;
Green: A 6-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 1-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 15-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 17-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 53-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 55-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 13-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 45-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 12-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 6-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 1-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 56-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 27-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 35-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 38-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 41-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Russell: A 32-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Russell: A 43-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Russell: A 33-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Russell: A 24-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Russell: A 55-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Taylor: A 19-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 63-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 15-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 2-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 62-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 59-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 26-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 42-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Taylor: A 69-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 64-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 34-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 66-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 11-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 15-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 42-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 7-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 34-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 18-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 13-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Taylor: A 19-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 26-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 12-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 53-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 17-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;

We are happy that there are no new deaths today and that our new case rate is dropping.  Until the vaccine is widely available, let’s all do our part in slowing the spread of COVID-19 by wearing our face coverings, avoiding crowds (especially in confined spaces), social distancing when around others, increasing our hand hygiene, increasing our general sanitation, and by avoiding touching our faces.

The Lake Cumberland area has experienced 19,636 cumulative confirmed cases and there have been 391,455 confirmed COVID-19 cases across all 120 Kentucky Counties as of today (this includes 390,762 statewide plus 693 recently reported cases in Lake Cumberland not in the Governor’s/Department for Public Health’s daily report). Regardless of the confirmed case count for any Lake Cumberland County, we believe COVID-19 to be widespread. The LCDHD is working tirelessly, including nights and weekends, to identify and contact all those with whom any positive case may have come into close contact, and to follow-up with positive cases when ready to be released. Additionally, we are striving diligently to follow-up on business-related complaints regarding noncompliance with the COVID-19 guidance. We are also working with any community partner that requests assistance for prevention or post-exposure planning/response. Finally, we are working with all community partners regarding vaccination planning.

For more statistics and local data go to LCDHD COVID-19 Information.

https://www.lcdhd.org/info-tools/health-assessments-and-statistics/health_report_card/covid19-state-wide-outbreak-2/covid-19-media-public/daily-brief/

#TeamKentucky

#TogetherKY

The Taylor County Courthouse will be closed on Wednesday due to the weather...

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 12. Wind chill values as low as 5. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph after midnight.

Wednesday: A chance of snow showers or flurries before 2pm, then a slight chance of snow showers between 2pm and 3pm, then a chance of flurries after 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 31. Wind chill values as low as 6. East wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday Night: Snow showers before 5am, then snow showers, possibly mixed with freezing rain. Low around 26. East wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Thursday: Snow showers, possibly mixed with freezing rain. High near 33. North wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Thursday Night: Freezing rain, possibly mixed with snow showers before 1am, then a slight chance of freezing rain. Low around 17. Northwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Friday: A 10 percent chance of snow showers before 7am. Mostly cloudy and cold, with a high near 25.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 7.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 33.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 19.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 43.

Sunday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Monday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49.

The Green County Health Department will be rescheduling the COVID 19 Vaccination Clinic scheduled for Thursday February 18, Friday, February 26, 2021. All patient appointments will be at the same time. For example, if your appointment was for 9:30 on the 16th, your new appointment will be for 9:30 on the 23rd. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Patients will receive notification by phone. # # #

The Taylor County Health Department will be rescheduling the COVID 19 Vaccination Clinic scheduled for Wednesday, February 17 to Wednesday, February 24, 2021. All patient appointments will be at the same time. For example, if your appointment was for 9:30 on the 16th, your new appointment will be for 9:30 on the 23rd. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Patients will receive notification by phone. 

The Green County Health Department will be rescheduling the COVID 19 Vaccination Clinic scheduled for Tuesday, February 16th to Tuesday, February 23rd, 2021.

All patient appointments will be at the same time. For example, if your appointment was for 9:30 on the 16th, your new appointment will be for 9:30 on the 23rd.  We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Patients will receive notification by phone.  

Tonight: Snow showers and sleet, possibly mixed with freezing rain before midnight, then a chance of snow showers between midnight and 3am. The sleet could be heavy at times. Low around 14. Northeast wind around 10 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow and sleet accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Tuesday: A chance of flurries before 1pm. Cloudy and cold, with a high near 22. Wind chill values as low as 1. West wind around 10 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 11. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of snow showers after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30. East wind 3 to 7 mph.

Wednesday Night: Snow showers. Low around 26. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Thursday: Snow showers and freezing rain before 3pm, then rain and snow showers likely between 3pm and 5pm, then rain showers, snow showers, and freezing rain likely after 5pm. High near 34. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Thursday Night: Snow showers and freezing rain likely before 8pm, then a chance of snow showers between 8pm and 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 15. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Friday: Mostly cloudy and cold, with a high near 23.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 8.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 33.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 22.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 43.

Sunday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Monday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45.

FRANKFORT, Ky., Feb. 15, 2021 – Due to a major winter storm impacting Kentucky, all Judicial Branch facilities will close today, Feb. 15, at 2 p.m. EST and Tuesday, Feb. 16. These facilities are the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and Administrative Office of the Courts in Frankfort and judicial centers and courthouses statewide.

Individuals who have court proceedings scheduled remotely during this time period should check with the court where their case is being handled or look for notices on social media to determine if remote proceedings will continue as planned. You can find contact information for courts in all 120 counties by clicking here and then scrolling down to Find a Court/Circuit Court Clerk by County.

Administrative Office of the Courts
The Administrative Office of the Courts in Frankfort is the operations arm of the state court system. The AOC supports the activities of nearly 3,400 court system employees and 406 elected justices, judges and circuit court clerks. As the fiscal agent for the state court system, the AOC executes the Judicial Branch budget.

The Taylor County Health Department will be rescheduling the COVID 19 Vaccination Clinic scheduled for Monday, February 15, 2021 to Monday, February 22, 2021. All patient appointments will be at the same time. Patients will receive notification by phone.

When snow and ice or other severe weather knock out electric power, it’s not just buildings that go dark. Traffic signals often go lights-out, as well.

“Treat a ‘dark’ traffic signal like a four-way stop - each vehicle takes its turn,” Transportation Secretary Jim Gray said. “It’s especially important when weather is severe for drivers to exercise greater caution and to be good neighbors on the road.”

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) snowfighters were put to the test this week with freezing rain and sleet that quickly built up on trees and electrical lines. All too often, trees and power lines came down together, leaving thousands of utility customers – and a number of traffic signals in eastern Kentucky – temporarily in the dark.

KYTC salt and plow crews got a break from precipitation on Friday and, with priority routes cleared, were able to make headway on clearing lower-volume state and local routes. It also gave maintenance personnel in KYTC’s highway districts a chance to restock salt supplies.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service warned of another winter storm system heading into Kentucky tonight and into Saturday with a chance of freezing rain east of Interstate 65, followed by snow and a wintry mix Monday into Tuesday. Transportation officials advise motorists to watch for black ice, reduce driving speed and limit travel when possible.

Traffic information and snow and ice resources, including highway district news updates, is available at snowky.ky.gov.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Friday pointed to more good trends in the COVID-19 pandemic in Kentucky, while deaths remain high due to the post-holiday surge in cases.

A total of 1,440 new cases were reported to state public health officials on Friday, a drop of 440 from Thursday.  It brings the pandemic total in Kentucky to 386,326.

One county had more than 100 new cases, Jefferson with 244.  The other top 10 counties were Kenton 92, Boone 86, Fayette 83, Warren 61, Madison 42, Campbell 40, Daviess 39, Pulaski 26, and Hardin had 24.

Kentucky’s positivity rate on Friday dropped to 6.95%, the lowest since Nov. 6.  

“It looks like we’re going to have fewer cases than last week which would give us five straight weeks of declining cases,” said Gov. Beshear.  “The positivity rate also continues to decline.  This says you’re doing the right things and we’re headed in the right direction.  But even if you’ve been vaccinated we have to continue to wear masks and social distance until we can defeat this thing once and for all.”

A total of 1,063 Kentuckians were reported hospitalized on Friday, 80 less than on Thursday.  Of them, 277 were in the ICU and 154 on a ventilator.  Both of those numbers were virtually the same as Thursday.

The number of new deaths related to the coronavirus on Friday was 42, an increase of six from the previous day.  This means there have now been 4,253 deaths attributable to COVID-19 in Kentucky, since the first one in late March 2020.  Information on the victims’ ages and location were not available.

On Friday, Gov. Beshear visited the Louisville Regional Vaccination Site at Broadbent Arena for LouVax International Community Day, and the Lexington Vaccine Public Awareness Campaign at the Consolidated Baptist Church on Russell Cave Road.  Both events sought to promote equitable access to the vaccine and to encourage all Kentucky communities to roll up their sleeves for the shot of hope.

In Louisville, Beshear said, “Being in this building, seeing what is behind us, is a moving experience.  It’s hard to put it into words.  You see compassion, you see hope, you even see victory.  This is a special place, filled with special people who are coming together to get us to the other side of the greatest challenge that we have faced in our lifetimes.  Just being here lifts you up, helps you breathe in, gets you ready to fight that next day, and lets us absolutely know that we are going to get through this, we’re going to make it to the other side, and we’re going to defeat COVID-19.”

In Lexington, he thanked faith leaders saying, “From the start of this pandemic, our faith leaders have stepped up to protect their congregations and their communities. So often, you lead by example in so many parts of our lives, and your efforts to keep our people safe during this time are inspiring.”

The governor added, “I am determined to do what I can – now – to make sure historical wrongs like an unequal access to health care do not carry forward. Health care is a basic human right and this principle is one of the basic guiding values of this administration.”

To see the full daily COVID-19 report for Kentucky, which includes such information as the red zone counties and red zone recommendations, testing locations, the weekly White House Coronavirus Task Force reports for Kentucky, executive orders, vaccine distribution, and other information on the state’s pandemic response, go to kycovid19.ky.gov.

Beshear’s next scheduled live press briefing will be Monday afternoon at 4, although he is expected to release daily numbers over the weekend.

Statewide Testing Positivity Rate: 6.95%.

Deaths: We are sad to report 4 new deaths today. We have experienced a total of 341 deaths resulting in a 1.76% mortality rate (about 1 in 57) among known cases. This compares with a 1.1% mortality rate at the state level, and a 1.75% mortality rate at the national level. Our hearts and prayers go out to all the families and friends who have lost loved ones.

Hospitalizations: We presently have 50 cases in the hospital. This is 5 less than what we reported yesterday. We have had a total of 1,077 hospitalizations resulting in a 5.55% hospitalization rate (about 1 in 18) among known cases. The state hospitalization rate is 4.64%. The latest data shows that 95.56% of Lake Cumberland’s ICU beds are filled, and 36.67% of ventilator capacity is being utilized.

Total (Cumulative) Cases: The Lake Cumberland District has experienced a total of 19,403 cases since the onset of the outbreak. This means that 9.29% of our total population have been a confirmed case. However, we do not know how many additional people may have had COVID-19 and were either asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and never tested.

Released (Not contagious) Cases: We released 134 cases today from isolation. Released cases include: Adair: 6; Casey: 6; Clinton: 4; Cumberland: 3; Green: 13; McCreary: 22; Pulaski: 31; Russell: 16; Taylor: 23; and, Wayne: 10. In all, we have released 94.5% of our total cases.

Active (Current) Cases: Taking into account deaths and releases, our active cases decreased by 26 more than the new cases we added today. This leaves us with 733 active cases in our district across all 10 of our district’s 10 counties. On 12/10/2020 we were at our peak number of active cases, 1,342.

Where Did Cases Visit Prior to Isolation: The most common places cases visited prior to isolation are (in descending order): Businesses, Family, Schools, and Medical Facilities. Of our active cases, 9% can not be tied back to another known case (community-spread cases).

New Cases: We report that our total case count has increased by 112 today: Adair: 7; Casey: 3; Clinton: 5; Cumberland: 3; Green: 8; McCreary: 22; Pulaski: 24; Russell: 18; Taylor: 13; and, Wayne: 9. Our current new case growth rate is: 1.006. This means our total case count is projected to double every 122.98 days. The most new cases we ever added in a single day was on 12/30/2020 when we added 301 cases.

Today’s new cases include:

Adair: A 19-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 74-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Adair: A 47-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 1-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 39-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 21-year-old female who is released, 2/11/21;
Adair: A 37-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 46-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 26-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 57-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 4-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 42-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 15-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 39-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 15-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Cumberland: A 58-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Cumberland: A 28-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Cumberland: A 55-year-old female who is hospitalized, Asymptomatic;
Green: A 67-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Green: A 71-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 33-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 10-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 53-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 13-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 15-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Green: A 40-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 24-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 25-year-old male who is released, Resolved;
McCreary: A 69-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 71-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 23-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 23-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 30-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 11-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 43-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 21-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 2-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 2-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 58-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 20-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 10-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 39-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 17-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 64-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 76-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 18-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 30-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 40-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 25-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 27-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 17-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 27-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 50-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 20-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 58-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 13-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 4-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 16-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 75-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 28-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 7 Months-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 39-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 43-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 26-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 50-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 22-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 9-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 17-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 22-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 21-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 22-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 21-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 46-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 58-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 28-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 16-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 56-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Russell: A 50-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 13-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 27-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 49-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 57-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 28-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 42-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Russell: A 62-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 29-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 37-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 79-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 58-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 23-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 64-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 39-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 28-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 42-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 22-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 15-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 13-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Taylor: A 49-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 74-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 24-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 47-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 48-year-old female who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 48-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Wayne: A 27-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 49-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 34-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 7-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 62-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 59-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 14-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 40-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 74-year-old female who is hospitalized, still symptomatic

The deaths we report today are: an 83-year-old individual from Casey who had been hospitalized, who had been released from public health observation as no longer contagious, but later succumbed to lasting complications from the illness; a 56-year-old individual from Pulaski who had been hospitalized who had been released from public health observation as no longer contagious, but later succumbed to lasting complications from the illness; an 85-year-old individual from Taylor who had been hospitalized; and a 56-year-old individual from Wayne who had been hospitalized.

We added fewer new cases today than last Friday, so our 7-day average incidence rate went down slightly. However, all our counties are back in the “red-critical” range of community spread. So, let’s all do our part in slowing the spread of COVID-19 by wearing our face coverings, avoiding crowds (especially in confined spaces), social distancing when around others, increasing our hand hygiene, increasing our general sanitation, and by avoiding touching our faces.

The Lake Cumberland area has experienced 19,403 cumulative confirmed cases and there have been 387,017 confirmed COVID-19 cases across all 120 Kentucky Counties as of today (this includes 386,326 statewide plus 691 recently reported cases in Lake Cumberland not in the Governor’s/Department for Public Health’s daily report). Regardless of the confirmed case count for any Lake Cumberland County, we believe COVID-19 to be widespread. The LCDHD is working tirelessly, including nights and weekends, to identify and contact all those with whom any positive case may have come into close contact, and to follow-up with positive cases when ready to be released. Additionally, we are striving diligently to follow-up on business-related complaints regarding noncompliance with the COVID-19 guidance. We are also working with any community partner that requests assistance for prevention or post-exposure planning/response. Finally, we are working with all community partners regarding vaccination planning.

For more statistics and local data go to LCDHD COVID-19 Information.

Statewide Testing Positivity Rate: 7.08%.

Deaths: We are happy to report no new deaths today. We have experienced a total of 337 deaths resulting in a 1.75% mortality rate (about 1 in 57) among known cases. This compares with a 1.09% mortality rate at the state level, and a 1.73% mortality rate at the national level.

Hospitalizations: We presently have 55 cases in the hospital. This is 14 less than what we reported yesterday. We have had a total of 1,074 hospitalizations resulting in a 5.57% hospitalization rate (about 1 in 18) among known cases. The state hospitalization rate is 4.63%. The latest data shows that 97.78% of Lake Cumberland’s ICU beds are filled, and 41.67% of ventilator capacity is being utilized.

Total (Cumulative) Cases: The Lake Cumberland District has experienced a total of 19,291 cases since the onset of the outbreak. This means that 9.24% of our total population have been a confirmed case. However, we do not know how many additional people may have had COVID-19 and were either asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and never tested.

Released (Not contagious) Cases: We released 151 cases today from isolation. Released cases include: Adair: 7; Casey: 11; Clinton: 12; Cumberland: 1; Green: 9; McCreary: 15; Pulaski: 42; Russell: 25; Taylor: 17; and, Wayne: 12. In all, we have released 94.3% of our total cases.

Active (Current) Cases: Taking into account deaths and releases, our active cases decreased by 54 more than the new cases we added today. This leaves us with 759 active cases in our district across all 10 of our district’s 10 counties. On 12/10/2020 we were at our peak number of active cases, 1,341.

Where Did Cases Visit Prior to Isolation: The most common places cases visited prior to isolation are (in descending order): Businesses, Family, Schools, and Medical Facilities. Of our active cases, 9% can not be tied back to another known case (community-spread cases).

New Cases: We report that our total case count has increased by 97 today: Adair: 5; Casey: 3; Clinton: 6; Cumberland: 1; Green: 2; McCreary: 14; Pulaski: 16; Russell: 20; and, Taylor: 30. Our current new case growth rate is: 1.006. This means our total case count is projected to double every 119.2 days. The most new cases we ever added in a single day was on 12/30/2020 when we added 301 cases.

Today’s new cases include:

Adair: A 68-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Adair: A 17-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 32-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 41-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 87-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 30-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 75-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 64-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 8-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Clinton: A 3-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 13-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 13-year-old male who is released, Asymptomatic;
Clinton: A 70-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 72-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Cumberland: A 21-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 76-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 74-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 62-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 3-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 28-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 78-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 26-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 8-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 2months-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 65-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 82-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 60-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 61-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 57-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 29-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 32-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 38-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Pulaski: A 9-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 12-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 7-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 9-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 14-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 43-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 59-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 62-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 17-year-old male who is released, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 35-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 39-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 21-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 40-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 2-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 62-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 57-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Russell: A 45-year-old female who is released, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 32-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 10-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Russell: A 58-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Russell: A 26-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 57-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 58-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 7 months-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 6-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Russell: A 2-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 55-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 33-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 49-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 21-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 23-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 35-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 11-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 15-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 74-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 50-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 91-year-old female who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 30-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 35-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 45-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 5-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 25-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 20-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 62-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 34-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Taylor: A 20-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 18-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 84-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Taylor: A 26-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 71-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 74-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 12-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 12-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 14-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 64-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 61-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 25-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 53-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 4-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 72-year-old male who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 31-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 43-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 4-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 48-year-old male who is released, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 85-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic

A close look at our data may appear that Pulaski and Wayne’s numbers are off today. This is because we moved 1 case from Wayne to Pulaski.

We added fewer cases today than last Thursday, so our 7-day average incidence rate lowered slightly. Cumberland remains our only county in the “orange-critical” range of community-spread. The remaining 9 counties are in the “red-critical” range of community spread.

As I listened to the Governor’s update today, I noted at least 3 new vaccination sites for our area: TJ Health Columbia as a regional hub; Campbellsville Kroger as a pharmacy site; and Campbellsville Wal-mart as a pharmacy site. I am in the process of verifying this, along with the contact information and the weekly supply. I’ll update the “vaccine” section of our Daily Brief once all of the needed information is obtained.

Please, let’s all do our part in slowing the spread of COVID-19 by wearing our face coverings, avoiding crowds (especially in confined spaces), social distancing when around others, increasing our hand hygiene, increasing our general sanitation, and by avoiding touching our faces.

The Lake Cumberland area has experienced 19,291 cumulative confirmed cases and there have been 385,559 confirmed COVID-19 cases across all 120 Kentucky Counties as of today (this includes 384,903 statewide plus 656 recently reported cases in Lake Cumberland not in the Governor’s/Department for Public Health’s daily report). Regardless of the confirmed case count for any Lake Cumberland County, we believe COVID-19 to be widespread. The LCDHD is working tirelessly, including nights and weekends, to identify and contact all those with whom any positive case may have come into close contact, and to follow-up with positive cases when ready to be released. Additionally, we are striving diligently to follow-up on business-related complaints regarding noncompliance with the COVID-19 guidance. We are also working with any community partner that requests assistance for prevention or post-exposure planning/response. Finally, we are working with all community partners regarding vaccination planning.

For more statistics and local data go to LCDHD COVID-19 Information.

COVID-19 Vaccination Status

Regional Hubs

The Governor recently announced additional sites where vaccines for Phase 1a and 1b, including 70 and older, have opened. More sites, including more Lake Cumberland area sites, will be opening in the weeks to come. You may call 1-855-598-2246, or visit vaccine.ky.gov to find out if you are eligible and where you can receive the vaccine. Remember, supplies are still limited, it may take several weeks to secure an appointment.

• Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital: Five hundred prime/1st dose vaccines are coming into the Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital each week for folks in the 1a and 1b group, including those 70 and older. Their COVID-19 hotline phone number 1-844-675-3390.

Nursing and Personal Care Homes

Locally, through a contract with the federal government, Walgreens and CVS pharmacies continue to vaccinate the long-term care facilities and personal care homes — residents and staff.

Health Department

Right now, all our our appointment slots are filled. Please do not leave your information on our answering machines or voice mails. We are not keeping any sort of waiting list. We have hope that we will start getting a consistent allocation of vaccine soon. Watch our Daily Brief and social media for updates.

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (Feb. 10, 2021) – Crews will be staying on through this evening and changing shifts at midnight as wintry precipitation continues to advance southeast across the region.

The northern and western half of the district reported slick areas this morning with crews responding and treating trouble areas. Otherwise, roads have remained mostly wet through the day with pavement temperatures well above freezing.

Based on current forecast guidance crews are expecting to battle significant icing through the Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway and Martha Layne Collins Bluegrass Parkway corridors along with counties to the south as temperatures drop through the evening and overnight.

In addition to roadway treatments, crews have been preparing to tackle any down trees resulting from heavy ice accumulations.

District 4 serves Breckinridge, Grayson, Green, Hardin, Hart, LaRue, Marion, Meade, Nelson, Taylor and Washington Counties.

Follow our district social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter: @kytcdistrict4

Statewide snow and ice information including priority route details and safety tips are available here: http://snowky.ky.gov

On Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 5:28 A.M., Campbellsville Police responded to 470 West Main Street in reference to a male attempting to steal a vehicle. Officer Elliott Taylor arrived on scene and found 35 year old Julian Underwood of Lone Valley Road, Campbellsville inside a vehicle belonging to the resident of 470 West Main Street. The resident had started her vehicle to let it warm up before work. When she went back outside to get in her vehicle, she found the male inside her vehicle revving the engine and attempting to put it in gear.

Mr. Underwood was taken into custody and charged with the following:

• Criminal Trespassing 3^rd degree
• Public Intoxication
• Disorderly Conduct
• Theft by Unlawful Taking – Auto- ($10,000 or more but under $1,000,000)

Agency Involved: Campbellsville Police Department

Investigating Officer: Officer Elliott Taylor

No in-person learning on Thursday in the Taylor County School Dist.

On Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at 1:40 P.M. Campbellsville Police received a call of a female in Walmart who had previously been trespassed from Walmart.  Officer Aaron Fields responded and as he arrived on scene, the female in question, 40 year old Ashley Allen of Campbellsville, pushed a full cart of merchandise out the door without paying for it.  As she was approached by Walmart Asset Protection, she ran into the parking lot where Officer Fields took her into custody.  Ms. Allen was arrested and charged with Burglary 3^rd degree.

Date: Tuesday, February 9, 2021            Time: 1:40 P.M.

Location: Walmart

Agencies Involved: Campbellsville Police Department

Investigating Officers: Officer Aaron Fields

Approving Supervisor: Lt. Shannon Wilson

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – More COVID-19 vaccine will be coming to Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear said during a Tuesday press briefing, making it the third increase in three weeks.

“The White House announced that we are going to get 6% more next week.  That is on top of the previous increases and will have us up 28% over what we were previously getting three weeks ago,” said Gov. Beshear. “It’s not enough, but it’s great.”

This will bring the weekly total to 71,675 doses, compared to 56,175 just three weeks ago.

He also announced that due to the impending winter storm, which has most of Kentucky under either an Ice Storm Warning, Winter Storm Warning. or a Winter Weather Advisory; vaccination appointments for Wednesday and Thursday at the Kroger regional vaccine sites in Bowling Green, Covington, and Lexington will be rescheduled to ensure the safety of all staff, volunteers and vaccine recipients.

“If you have waited a long time to get this appointment, I am really sorry,” Beshear said, “But I also don’t want to put you out on the roads with thick ice.  Wear your mask, be careful over this next week, and we will get you vaccinated.”

The number of new cases of the coronavirus reported to state public health officials rose on Tuesday to 2.339, up from 1,003 on Monday.  This brings the pandemic total to 381,121. 

Three counties had more than 100 new cases: Jefferson 396, Fayette 116, and Kenton 115.  The rest of the top ten counties were Boone 92, Madison 82, Laurel and Warren 66, Pulaski 64, Hardin 61, and Daviess 58.

The number of new deaths was 35, down from 40 on Monday, which raises Kentucky’s total to 4,126.  The latest victims ranged in age from 57 to 102.

Jefferson County had 16 deaths; Hardin County four; Barren, Boone, Hopkins, and Washington counties each had two; while there was one apiece in Boyle, Breckenridge, Fayette, Graves, Kenton, Larue, and Nelson counties.

A total of 1,204 Kentuckians are currently hospitalized with the coronavirus.  Of them, 282 are in intensive care, and 148 are on a ventilator.  All three numbers are increases from Monday.

The state’s positivity rate continues to fall.  On Tuesday, it stood at 7.66%, based on a seven-day rolling average, and is the lowest since November.

Cabinet for Health and Family Services Inspector General Adam Mather announced on Tuesday that CVS Health vaccinations are 88% complete in the state’s long-term care facilities and 79% complete in the state’s assisted living facilities.  Walgreens vaccinations are 100% complete in long-term care facilities and 90% complete in assisted living facilities.  CVS Health and Walgreens contracted with the federal government to provide long-term care and assisted living staff and resident vaccinations nationwide.

To see the full daily COVID-19 report for Kentucky, which includes such information as the red zone counties and red zone recommendations, testing locations, the weekly White House Coronavirus Task Force reports for Kentucky, executive orders, vaccine distribution, and other information on the state’s pandemic response, go to kycovid19.ky.gov.

Beshear’s next scheduled live press briefing will be Wednesday afternoon at 4.  It can be viewed on his Facebook page or on YouTube.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – A report released Tuesday by State Auditor Mike Harmon found numerous issues within Kentucky’s Unemployment Insurance System.

Overall, the report, known as the Statewide Single Audit of Kentucky, or SSWAK, had 25 findings, half of which dealt with the Office of Unemployment Insurance and the UI fund.

Due to the high volume of claims and new federal unemployment programs during the pandemic, the report found OUI leadership made decisions that violated federal law and sacrificed program integrity in an attempt to more quickly get payments to unemployed individuals.

One of these changes referred to as “Auto-Pay,” allowed UI benefits to be automatically paid without requiring claimants to report the weekly wage information needed to determine whether they were actually eligible for benefits. Seasoned OUI and Commonwealth Office of Technology expressed concerns about implementing Auto-Pay, according to the report, but it was implemented in spite of those concerns. Auto-Pay was in effect two weeks for traditional UI and eight weeks for PUA, and it contributed to causing many of the issues identified in the auditor’s findings.

The report notes that despite efforts to pay benefits more quickly, many claims still were not timely processed. As of Oct. 29, 2020, the claims backlog of unprocessed, initial jobless claims totaled approximately 80,000. Additionally, OUI had archived more than 400,000 emails the office received through its UI assistance email account that remained unread as of Nov. 9, 2020.  These emails from claimants could include indications or problems for OUI to address, not to mention general questions from unemployed Kentuckians.

To illustrate the Auto-Pay issue, auditors selected a sample of 37 state employees who filed for and received UI benefits and discovered 16 state employees were paid unemployment benefits for the loss of part-time jobs, despite still being employed by the state.

Claimants are required to report any earnings during the week for which they are claiming benefits, and their full-time state wages would have made these employees ineligible for benefits. However, the adoption of the Auto-Pay policy eliminated the system control that asked claimants to report their weekly earnings, so the system did not take into account wages from their full-time state employment. The net overpayment in this sample was more than $116,000.

Furthermore, seven of the employees did not report wages earned from full-time employment even when the Auto-Pay period had ended despite having the ability to do so.

Another issue appearing in the report was data security. OUI failed to inform the Auditor of Public Accounts, along with other state agencies, of three data breaches that occurred in April and May 2020. State law requires agencies to notify APA and others within 72 hours of the occurrence.

On April 23 and 24, 2020, a data breach was reported by a UI claimant who reported they had viewed other claimant’s uploaded documents including Social Security cards, driver’s licenses, and birth certificates. OUI did not notify APA and others until after the media learned of the breach, at least a month after it occurred. And on May 6, 2020, after OUI claimed a security patch had permanently resolved the issue, a similar data breach occurred again. APA was not notified about the breach until two months after it happened.

“The majority of the findings involving OUI come back to one common issue, which is the decision to remove controls that provided better oversight on verification and payment of UI benefits,” said Harmon. “It breaks my heart to think of those Kentuckians included in the 400,000 unopened emails who so desperately wanted their voices heard and yet were ignored. The systemic failure of leadership on all levels not only violated federal law but also let down many who needed relief. It also leaves others facing the prospect of repaying the government for miscalculated payments they received in good faith.”

Beshear mostly blames an antiquated system for the backlog of claims and is asking the 2021 state legislature to improve it. 

“Most concerns noted in the auditor’s report were addressed in the spring, but no one in state government will be satisfied until all Kentuckians receive the unemployment benefits for which they qualify,” the statement said. “Unfortunately, in the years leading up to the pandemic, the previous administration, and previous legislatures, closed in-person offices, sliced the UI budget by $16 million, and cut 95 skilled employees from UI that were desperately needed.”

The once-in-a-lifetime pandemic and a 1,300% year-over-year increase in claims meant Kentuckians have had to wait too long for their payments.

“The office, at the direction of Gov. Beshear, will continue to address any shortcomings in the system and work tirelessly to meet the needs of Kentucky workers who are unemployed due to no fault of their own,” the statement said.

More than 1.6 million unemployment insurance claims were filed in Kentucky in less than a year with the state paying more than $5.6 billion in benefits since March. The statement said it was “unacceptable that some Kentuckians who filed months ago have not been paid and that thousands of emails went unopened.”

“To provide immediate relief, the Governor authorized $48 million in CARES Act funding last month for those who have waited too long to receive unemployment benefits and to help those who missed out on the federal government’s Lost Wages Assistance Program because they did not make enough,” the statement said.

The Better Kentucky Budget he proposed to lawmakers also allocates $47.5 million to correct chronic underfunding of the unemployment insurance system after the administration inherited an operation running on an IT system that has been in operation since the 1970s. The Governor’s proposed budget includes General Fund spending of $1.1 million in fiscal year 2021 and $8.4 million in fiscal year 2022 to provide funding to restore employees to help with unemployment claims at the 12 career centers throughout the commonwealth.

Over the next 3 weeks, we will receive 4,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to spread across our district’s 10 counties. While we scheduled approximately 3,113 of those 4,000 appointments today, we still have appointment slots open in most counties and will continue making appointments on Tuesday, February 9th starting at 9:00 a.m. EST/8:00 a.m. CST. These are for people in Phase 1a or 1b including those 70 and older. Do not call early. Do not leave your information on our answering machine. We are not keeping waiting lists. We plan to have 20 phone lines open and 10 to 15 operators. However, we know the demand will be greater than the supply. We had over 300,000 attempted dial-ins today for our 4,000 slots. We apologize in advance for not being able to accommodate everyone.

When our scheduling call center goes live on Tuesday morning, these are the numbers to dial:

• Adair: 270-384-2286
• Casey: 606-787-6911
• Clinton: 606-387-5711
• Cumberland: 270-864-2206
• (All Appointments are Taken) Green: 270-932-4341
• McCreary: 606-376-2412
• Pulaski: 606-679-4416
• Russell: 270-343-2181
• (All Appointments are Taken) Taylor: 270-465-4191
• Wayne: 606-348-9349

Statewide Testing Positivity Rate: 7.78%

Deaths: We are sad to report 4 new deaths today. We have experienced a total of 336 deaths resulting in a 1.78% mortality rate (about 1 in 56) among known cases. This compares with a 1.08% mortality rate at the state level, and a 1.72% mortality rate at the national level. Our hearts and prayers go out to all the families and friends who have lost loved ones.

Hospitalizations: We presently have 60 cases in the hospital. This is 4 more than what we reported yesterday. We have had a total of 1,062 hospitalizations resulting in a 5.62% hospitalization rate (about 1 in 18) among known cases. The state hospitalization rate is 4.6%. The latest data shows that 80% of Lake Cumberland’s ICU beds are filled, and 20.69% of ventilator capacity is being utilized.

Total (Cumulative) Cases: The Lake Cumberland District has experienced a total of 18,887 cases since the onset of the outbreak. This means that 9.04% of our total population have been a confirmed case. However, we do not know how many additional people may have had COVID-19 and were either asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and never tested.

Released (Not contagious) Cases: We released 226 cases today from isolation. Released cases include: Adair: 10; Casey: 15; Clinton: 19; Cumberland: 7; Green: 11; McCreary: 31; Pulaski: 54; Russell: 20; Taylor: 44; and, Wayne: 15. In all, we have released 94.5% of our total cases.

Active (Current) Cases: Taking into account deaths and releases, our active cases decreased by 123 more than the new cases we added today. This leaves us with 694 active cases in our district across all 10 of our district’s 10 counties. On 12/10/2020 we were at our peak number of active cases, 1,341.

Where Did Cases Visit Prior to Isolation: The most common places cases visited prior to isolation are (in descending order): Businesses, Schools, Family, and Medical Facilities. We have had 67 cases tied to Christmas gaterings, 43 tied to Thanksgiving gatherings, and 15 tied to New Year’s events. Of our active cases, 9% can not be tied back to another known case (community-spread cases).

New Cases: We report that our total case count has increased by 107 today: Adair: 12; Casey: 4; Clinton: 5; Cumberland: 2; Green: 9; Pulaski: 25; Russell: 20; Taylor: 24; and, Wayne: 6. Our current new case growth rate is: 1.006. This means our total case count is projected to double every 116.97 days. The most new cases we ever added in a single day was on 12/30/2020 when we added 301 cases. Today’s new cases include:

Adair: A 20-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Adair: A 73-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 50-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 18-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 63-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 57-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 54-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 14-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 45-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 69-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 16-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 77-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 70-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 73-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 33-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 29-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 16-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 16-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 15-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 57-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 54-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Cumberland: A 21-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Cumberland: A 26-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 60-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 61-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 9-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 36-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 48-year-old male who is released, Resolved;
Green: A 49-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 12-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 33-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 15-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 38-year-old female who is released, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 37-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 36-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 23-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Pulaski: A 57-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 82-year-old male who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 59-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 54-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 43-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Pulaski: A 48-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 24-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 45-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 35-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 38-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 32-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 24-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 14-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 69-year-old male who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 67-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 71-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 38-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 14-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 14-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 27-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 21-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 45-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 48-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 62-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 55-year-old female who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 41-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Russell: A 30-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 38-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 64-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 85-year-old male who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 25-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 55-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 17-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 45-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 36-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 32-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 2-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 55-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 50-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 40-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 52-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 59-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 56-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 8-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 34-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 54-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 87-year-old female who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 53-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Taylor: A 30-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Taylor: A 74-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 19-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Taylor: A 7-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 77-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 66-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 17-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 19-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 4-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 19-year-old male who is released, Resolved;
Taylor: A 18-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 24-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 5m -year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 71-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 22-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 18-year-old male who is released, Resolved;
Taylor: A 57-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 21-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 26-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 54-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 70-year-old male who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 19-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 50-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;

The deaths we report today are: an 80-year-old individual from McCreary who had been released from public health observation as no longer contagious but later succumbed to lasting complications from the illness; a 71-year-old individual from Pulaski who had been released from public health observation as no longer contagious but later succumbed to lasting complications from the illness; and an 82-year-old individual from Wayne who had been hospitalized. We had 1 additional death we are still trying to determine the primary cause of death.

If we combine Sunday and Monday together (since we didn’t work yesterday), we are starting this week off with fewer new cases than last. However, for the moment, all 10 of our district’s 10 counties are in the “red-critical” range of community-spread.

Please, let’s all do our part in slowing the spread of COVID-19 by wearing our face coverings, avoiding crowds (especially in confined spaces), social distancing when around others, increasing our hand hygiene, increasing our general sanitation, and by avoiding touching our faces.

The Lake Cumberland area has experienced 18,887 cumulative confirmed cases and there have been 379,558 confirmed COVID-19 cases across all 120 Kentucky Counties as of today (this includes 378,793 statewide plus 765 recently reported cases in Lake Cumberland not in the Governor’s/Department for Public Health’s daily report). Regardless of the confirmed case count for any Lake Cumberland County, we believe COVID-19 to be widespread. The LCDHD is working tirelessly, including nights and weekends, to identify and contact all those with whom any positive case may have come into close contact, and to follow-up with positive cases when ready to be released. Additionally, we are striving diligently to follow-up on business-related complaints regarding noncompliance with the COVID-19 guidance. We are also working with any community partner that requests assistance for prevention or post-exposure planning/response. Finally, we are working with all community partners regarding vaccination planning.

https://www.lcdhd.org/info-tools/health-assessments-and-statistics/health_report_card/covid19-state-wide-outbreak-2/covid-19-media-public/daily-brief/

#TeamKentucky

#TogetherKY

Over the next 3 weeks, we will receive 4,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to spread across our district’s 10 counties. While we scheduled approximately 3,113 of those 4,000 appointments today, we still have appointment slots open in most counties and will continue making appointments on Tuesday, February 9th starting at 9:00 a.m. EST/8:00 a.m. CST. These are for people in Phase 1a or 1b including those 70 and older. Do not call early. Do not leave your information on our answering machine. We are not keeping waiting lists. We plan to have 20 phone lines open and 10 to 15 operators. However, we know the demand will be greater than the supply. We had over 300,000 attempted dial-ins today for our 4,000 slots. We apologize in advance for not being able to accommodate everyone.

When our scheduling call center goes live on Tuesday morning, these are the numbers to dial:

• Adair: 270-384-2286
• Casey: 606-787-6911
• Clinton: 606-387-5711
• Cumberland: 270-864-2206
• (All Appointments are Taken) Green: 270-932-4341
• McCreary: 606-376-2412
• Pulaski: 606-679-4416
• Russell: 270-343-2181
• (All Appointments are Taken) Taylor: 270-465-4191
• Wayne: 606-348-9349

Statewide Testing Positivity Rate: 7.78%

Deaths: We are sad to report 4 new deaths today. We have experienced a total of 336 deaths resulting in a 1.78% mortality rate (about 1 in 56) among known cases. This compares with a 1.08% mortality rate at the state level, and a 1.72% mortality rate at the national level. Our hearts and prayers go out to all the families and friends who have lost loved ones.

Hospitalizations: We presently have 60 cases in the hospital. This is 4 more than what we reported yesterday. We have had a total of 1,062 hospitalizations resulting in a 5.62% hospitalization rate (about 1 in 18) among known cases. The state hospitalization rate is 4.6%. The latest data shows that 80% of Lake Cumberland’s ICU beds are filled, and 20.69% of ventilator capacity is being utilized.

Total (Cumulative) Cases: The Lake Cumberland District has experienced a total of 18,887 cases since the onset of the outbreak. This means that 9.04% of our total population have been a confirmed case. However, we do not know how many additional people may have had COVID-19 and were either asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and never tested.

Released (Not contagious) Cases: We released 226 cases today from isolation. Released cases include: Adair: 10; Casey: 15; Clinton: 19; Cumberland: 7; Green: 11; McCreary: 31; Pulaski: 54; Russell: 20; Taylor: 44; and, Wayne: 15. In all, we have released 94.5% of our total cases.

Active (Current) Cases: Taking into account deaths and releases, our active cases decreased by 123 more than the new cases we added today. This leaves us with 694 active cases in our district across all 10 of our district’s 10 counties. On 12/10/2020 we were at our peak number of active cases, 1,341.

Where Did Cases Visit Prior to Isolation: The most common places cases visited prior to isolation are (in descending order): Businesses, Schools, Family, and Medical Facilities. We have had 67 cases tied to Christmas gatherings, 43 tied to Thanksgiving gatherings, and 15 tied to New Year’s events. Of our active cases, 9% can not be tied back to another known case (community-spread cases).

New Cases: We report that our total case count has increased by 107 today: Adair: 12; Casey: 4; Clinton: 5; Cumberland: 2; Green: 9; Pulaski: 25; Russell: 20; Taylor: 24; and, Wayne: 6. Our current new case growth rate is: 1.006. This means our total case count is projected to double every 116.97 days. The most new cases we ever added in a single day was on 12/30/2020 when we added 301 cases.

Today’s new cases include:

Adair: A 20-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Adair: A 73-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 50-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 18-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 63-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 57-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 54-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 14-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 45-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 69-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 16-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 77-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 70-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 73-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 33-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 29-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 16-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 16-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 15-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 57-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 54-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Cumberland: A 21-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Cumberland: A 26-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 60-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 61-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 9-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 36-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 48-year-old male who is released, Resolved;
Green: A 49-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 12-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 33-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 15-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 38-year-old female who is released, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 37-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 36-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 23-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Pulaski: A 57-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 82-year-old male who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 59-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 54-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 43-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Pulaski: A 48-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 24-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 45-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 35-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 38-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 32-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 24-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 14-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 69-year-old male who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 67-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 71-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 38-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 14-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 14-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 27-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 21-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 45-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 48-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 62-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 55-year-old female who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 41-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Russell: A 30-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 38-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 64-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 85-year-old male who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 25-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 55-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 17-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 45-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 36-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 32-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 2-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 55-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 50-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 40-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 52-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 59-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 56-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 8-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 34-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 54-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 87-year-old female who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 53-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Taylor: A 30-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Taylor: A 74-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 19-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Taylor: A 7-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 77-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 66-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 17-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 19-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 4-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 19-year-old male who is released, Resolved;
Taylor: A 18-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 24-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 5m -year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 71-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 22-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 18-year-old male who is released, Resolved;
Taylor: A 57-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 21-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 26-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 54-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 70-year-old male who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 19-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 50-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic

The deaths we report today are: an 80-year-old individual from McCreary who had been released from public health observation as no longer contagious but later succumbed to lasting complications from the illness; a 71-year-old individual from Pulaski who had been released from public health observation as no longer contagious but later succumbed to lasting complications from the illness; and an 82-year-old individual from Wayne who had been hospitalized. We had 1 additional death we are still trying to determine the primary cause of death.

If we combine Sunday and Monday together (since we didn’t work yesterday), we are starting this week off with fewer new cases than last. However, for the moment, all 10 of our district’s 10 counties are in the “red-critical” range of community-spread.

Please, let’s all do our part in slowing the spread of COVID-19 by wearing our face coverings, avoiding crowds (especially in confined spaces), social distancing when around others, increasing our hand hygiene, increasing our general sanitation, and by avoiding touching our faces.

The Lake Cumberland area has experienced 18,887 cumulative confirmed cases and there have been 379,558 confirmed COVID-19 cases across all 120 Kentucky Counties as of today (this includes 378,793 statewide plus 765 recently reported cases in Lake Cumberland not in the Governor’s/Department for Public Health’s daily report). Regardless of the confirmed case count for any Lake Cumberland County, we believe COVID-19 to be widespread. The LCDHD is working tirelessly, including nights and weekends, to identify and contact all those with whom any positive case may have come into close contact, and to follow-up with positive cases when ready to be released.

Additionally, we are striving diligently to follow-up on business-related complaints regarding noncompliance with the COVID-19 guidance. We are also working with any community partner that requests assistance for prevention or post-exposure planning/response. Finally, we are working with all community partners regarding vaccination planning.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – A powerful winter storm system is taking aim on Kentucky over the next few days, with ice accumulations of up to 0.75 inch possible.

“It’s going to be a very active week,” said John Gordon who heads the National Weather Service office in Louisville on Monday.

While Monday night could see some travel issues with snow accumulating up to two inches, primarily in the Ohio River counties between Louisville and Cincinnati where Winter Weather Advisories have been issued, the main event will come Tuesday night into Thursday.

While some areas could get an inch or two of snow during that time, Gordon says ice will be the biggest culprit. 

“On the low end, a tenth to 0.15 inch of ice accumulation, with some areas seeing amounts approaching 0.75 inch, could be even higher, depending how this thing evolves and sets up the rate,” he stated.

Wednesday is when Gordon says he expects the worst icing conditions, especially overnight into Thursday morning.  “You could get a prolonged period of freezing rain across Kentucky, which could be pretty substantial.”

Gordon says at this point, the main axis of the heaviest icing will run along an east-west line from Paducah to Ashland, with the Western Kentucky and Bluegrass Parkways and I-64 at the center, extending a couple counties north and south of that path.  However, there is a possibility that the line could move either north or south of the projected path.  

As a result, a winter storm watch has been issued during that time for central and eastern Kentucky.

Gordon notes that despite the forecast of up to 0.75 inch of ice or more, this will not be a repeat of the 2003 or 2009 ice storms, that paralyzed parts of the state for days, adding, “Kentuckians can still expect to see trees down, power outages, and hazardous travel.  Pretty much a mess across the Ohio Valley this week, for sure.”

He added, he fully expects a Winter Storm Warning or Ice Storm Warning to be issued, probably Tuesday.

The much-anticipated deep freeze that forecasters have talked about for a week or more is now expected this weekend, according to Gordon.

“I feel very confident that Saturday night through Sunday night is the coldest period that we feel confident about,” he said.  “I know we’ve been pushing this cold off.  It’s really there, the question is will it get this far south?  Single digit temperatures are definitely on the table, especially Sunday night.  If we get a lot of ice, it could even be lower.  We’ll have to see.”a

The Taylor County County Fiscal Court will meet Tuesday at 5pm upstairs in the Taylor County Courthouse. 

On Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at 1:00 P.M., Campbellsville Police responded to an injury collision on North Central Avenue in the area of Valero gas station. 

A 2014 Ford Fiesta operated by 19 year old Morgan Bellar of Owensboro, KY., collided with a 2002 Mercedes CLK430 operated by 51 year old William Fleitz of Campbellsville.

Both Bellar and Fleitz were transported to Taylor Regional Hospital for treatment.

Date: Wednesday, February 3, 2021               Time: 1:00 P.M.

Location: North Central Avenue in the area of the Valero gas station

Agencies Involved: Campbellsville Police, Campbellsville Taylor County EMS, and Campbellsville Fire

Investigating Officers: Officer Aaron Fields

Approving Supervisor: Lt. Shannon Wilson

The Taylor County Grand Jury met last week and indicted the following people:

We have been notified that our district will receive 4,000 doses of 1st/prime dose COVID-19 vaccine spread out over the next 3 weeks for administration by our local health departments. This will be for people in Phase 1a or 1b including those 70 and older. We will take appointments by phone beginning on Monday, February 8th at 9:00 am EST/8:00 am CST. Do not call early. Do not leave your information on our answering machine. We are not keeping waiting lists. We do expect to fill all 4,000 apointment slots within the first few hours. We plan to have 30 phone lines open and 15 to 20 operators. However, we know the demand will be greater than the supply. We apologize in advance for not being able to accommodate everyone.

When our scheduling call center goes live next Monday morning, these are the numbers to dial:

• Adair: 270-384-2286
• Casey: 606-787-6911
• Clinton: 606-387-5711
• Cumberland: 270-864-2206
• Green: 270-932-4341
• McCreary: 606-376-2412
• Pulaski: 606-679-4416
• Russell: 270-343-2181
• Taylor: 270-465-4191
• Wayne: 606-348-9349

Statewide Testing Positivity Rate: 8.07%.

Deaths: We are pleased to report no new deaths today. We have experienced a total of 332 deaths resulting in a 1.77% mortality rate (about 1 in 56) among known cases. This compares with a 1.07% mortality rate at the state level, and a 1.72% mortality rate at the national level.

Hospitalizations: We presently have 56 cases in the hospital. This is 4 more than what we reported yesterday. We have had a total of 1,052 hospitalizations resulting in a 5.6% hospitalization rate (about 1 in 18) among known cases. The state hospitalization rate is 4.62%. The latest data shows that 95.56% of Lake Cumberland’s ICU beds are filled, and 26.67% of ventilator capacity is being utilized.

Total (Cumulative) Cases: The Lake Cumberland District has experienced a total of 18,780 cases since the onset of the outbreak. This means that 8.99% of our total population have been a confirmed case. However, we do not know how many additional people may have had COVID-19 and were either asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and never tested.

Released (Not contagious) Cases: We released 113 cases today from isolation. Released cases include: Adair: 6; Casey: 7; Clinton: 3; Cumberland: 4; McCreary: 15; Pulaski: 37; Russell: 5; Taylor: 29; and, Wayne: 7. In all, we have released 93.9% of our total cases.

Active (Current) Cases: We added 17 more cases today than we had deceased and/or released cases. This leaves us with 817 active cases in our district across all 10 of our district’s 10 counties. On 12/10/2020 we were at our peak number of active cases, 1,341.

Where Did Cases Visit Prior to Isolation: The most common places cases visited prior to isolation are (in descending order): Businesses, Family, Schools, and Medical Facilities. We have had 67 cases tied to Christmas gaterings, 43 tied to Thanksgiving gatherings, and 15 tied to New Year’s events. Of our active cases, 8% can not be tied back to another known case (community-spread cases).

New Cases: We report that our total case count has increased by 130 today: Adair: 1; Casey: 5; Clinton: 5; Cumberland: 5; Green: 13; McCreary: 15; Pulaski: 31; Russell: 27; Taylor: 23; and, Wayne: 5. Our current new case growth rate is: 1.006. This means our total case count is projected to double every 107.46 days. The most new cases we ever added in a single day was on 12/30/2020 when we added 301 cases.
 

Today’s new cases include:

Adair: A 17-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Casey: A 41-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 84-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 58-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 51-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 27-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 60-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 55-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 14-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 16-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 17-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Cumberland: A 57-year-old male who is released, Resolved;
Cumberland: A 77-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Cumberland: A 73-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Cumberland: A 82-year-old male who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Cumberland: A 77-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 5-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 28-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 27-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 51-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Green: A 37-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 31-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 74-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 25-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 39-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 19-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 37-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 14-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 16-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 36-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 64-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 37-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 34-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 19-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 66-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 76-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 31-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 21-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 1-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 91-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 72-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 59-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 59-year-old male who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 54-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 15-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 59-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 34-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 66-year-old male who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 76-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 16-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 40-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 19-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 70-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 55-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 39-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 65-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 15-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 9-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 21-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Pulaski: A 68-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 30-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 67-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 9-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 45-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 77-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 36-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 16-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 62-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 64-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 30-year-old female who is released, Asymptomatic;
Pulaski: A 36-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 33-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 29-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 53-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 72-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Russell: A 65-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 23-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 42-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 44-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Russell: A 37-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Russell: A 46-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 33-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 49-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 39-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Russell: A 46-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 32-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Russell: A 41-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Russell: A 53-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 43-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 44-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Russell: A 52-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Russell: A 54-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Russell: A 60-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Russell: A 57-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Russell: A 41-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 43-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Russell: A 44-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 34-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Russell: A 32-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 12-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 14-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 50-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 26-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 26-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 54-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 35-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 19-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Taylor: A 16-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 21-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 40-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 39-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 14-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 52-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 24-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 42-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 75-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 45-year-old female who is released, Resolved;
Taylor: A 14-year-old male who is released, Resolved;
Taylor: A 12-year-old male who is released, Resolved;
Taylor: A 13-year-old female who is released, Resolved;
Taylor: A 15-year-old male who is released, Resolved;
Taylor: A 29-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 75-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 18-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 83-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 69-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 60-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 68-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 6-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 24-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic

Starting next week, the health departments will be closed on Sundays. As long as we can keep up with case investigations, contact tracing, releases, and vaccination clinics, we are going to make an effort to give our staff consistently one day off per week. This means there will not be a Daily Brief on Sundays.

We are happy to report no new deaths today.

After 3 weeks of declining cases, we added 829 new cases this week compared to 795 last week. Our new case rate continues to be higher than the state average. We experienced 5 COVID-19 related deaths this week. We have 817 active cases today compared to 804 active cases last Saturday. We have 56 hospitalized cases today compared to 42 last Saturday.
 

So, by each of these indicators, our COVID-19 situation worsened this week compared to the last. Clinton is our only county in the “orange-accelerated” 7-day average incidence rate of community-spread. The other 9 counties are in the “red-critical range”.

Please, let’s all do our part in slowing the spread of COVID-19 by wearing our face coverings, avoiding crowds (especially in confined spaces), social distancing when around others, increasing our hand hygiene, increasing our general sanitation, and by avoiding the touching of our faces.

The Lake Cumberland area has experienced 18,780 cumulative confirmed cases and there have been 376,984 confirmed COVID-19 cases across all 120 Kentucky Counties as of today (this includes 376,262 statewide plus 722 recently reported cases in Lake Cumberland not in the Governor’s/Department for Public Health’s daily report). Regardless of the confirmed case count for any Lake Cumberland County, we believe COVID-19 to be widespread. The LCDHD is working tirelessly, including nights and weekends, to identify and contact all those with whom any positive case may have come into close contact, and to follow-up with positive cases when ready to be released.
 

Additionally, we are striving diligently to follow-up on business-related complaints regarding noncompliance with the COVID-19 guidance. We are also working with any community partner that requests assistance for prevention or post-exposure planning/response. Finally, we are working with all community partners regarding vaccination planning.

For more statistics and local data go to LCDHD COVID-19 Information.

COVID-19 Vaccination Status

The Governor recently announced additional sites where vaccines for Phase 1a and 1b, including 70 and older, have opened. More sites will be opening in the weeks to come. You may call 1-855-598-2246, or visit vaccine.ky.gov to find out if you are eligible and where you can receive the vaccine. Remember, supplies are still limited, it may take several weeks to secure an appointment.

Locally, through a contract with the federal government, Walgreens and CVS pharmacies continue to vaccinate the long-term care facilities and personal care homes — residents and staff.

Five hundred prime/1st dose vaccines are coming into the Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital each week for folks in the 1a and 1b group, including those 70 and older. Their COVID-19 hotline phone number 1-844-675-3390.

The Lake Cumberland District Health Department will be receiving more vaccine beginning next week. We will begin taking appointments on Monday, February 8th at 9:00 am EST/8:00 am CST. Please do not call early, and do not leave your information on our answering machine. We are not keeping any sort of waiting list.

Also, select providers are receiving vaccine for school staff.

Counties where 1st Dose School Clinics are Complete/Largely Complete

• Taylor County the week of 1/8/21 by Taylor Regional Hospital with approximately 300 vaccinations administered.
• Casey County on 1/20/21 by Cumberland Family Medical with approximately 150 vaccinations administered.
• Adair County on 1/22/21 by Cumberland Family Medical with approximately 200 vaccinations administered.
• Clinton County on 1/22/21 by Cumberland Family Medical with approximately 160 vaccinations administered.
• Cumberland County on 1/27/21 by Cumberland Family Medical with approximately 100 vaccinations administered.
• Russell County on 1/28/21 by Cumberland Family Medical with approximately 300 vaccinations administered.
• Green County on 1/29/21 by Cumberland Family Medical with approximately 150 vaccinations administered.
• Wayne County on 2/1/21 by Cumberland Family Medical with approximately 280 vaccinations administered.
• McCreary County on 2/4/21 by Kroger Pharmacy with approximately 210 vaccinations administered.

Counties where 1st Dose School Clinics are in Progress

• Pulaski is in progress and is being handled by Lake Cumberland Medical Associates.

As we learn more, we will post it.

https://www.lcdhd.org/info-tools/health-assessments-and-statistics/health_report_card/covid19-state-wide-outbreak-2/covid-19-media-public/daily-brief/

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) - The Kentucky House Impeachment Committee met behind closed doors for about three hours on Friday, then emerged to announce two of the three impeachment petitions filed against Gov. Andy Beshear have been dismissed.

The seven-member panel, consisting of four Republicans and three Democrats, was named by House Speaker David Osborne, R-Prospect, after four men filed an eight-count petition, in which they claimed closings, restrictions and other actions taken by the governor during the COVID-19 pandemic, were unconstitutional. One of the men has since withdrawn his name from the petition.

After Osborne named the committee, which also includes two alternate members, one Republican and one Democrat, other petitions were filed.

One, signed by eight people, seeks the impeachment of Rep. Robert Goforth, R-East Bernstadt, who faces first-degree strangulation and fourth-degree assault charges at Laurel Circuit Court, which allegedly involved his wife as the victim. No action was taken on this petition on Friday.

Another petition was signed by four people, including three members of the Jefferson County grand jury who heard the Breonna Taylor case, seeking the impeachment of Attorney General Daniel Cameron.

Two more petitions were filed against Beshear: one on behalf of Take Back Kentucky, and the other by the Kentucky Liberty Pac. Those two were the ones dismissed.

Committee Chair, Rep. Jason Nemes, R-Louisville, read the dismissals: “Upon consideration and review by the 2021 Regular Session Impeachment Committee, the petition of Gov. Andrew Beshear, styled as ‘Impeach Beshear,’ received on Feb. 1, 2021, by the Kentucky Liberty Pac is dismissed. So ordered this fifth day of February 2021.”

The other dismissal contained identical language, except it identified Take Back Kentucky as the petitioner.

The other two actions involved the original petition against the governor and attorney general.

Nemes says they sent a letter to Gov. Beshear’s General Counsel, Amy Cubbage, “requesting some follow-up information.”

A similar letter seeking follow-up information was also sent to Attorney General Cameron, according to Nemes.

“This committee was the first in the history of Kentucky to make our proceedings public. All evidence we received has been made public, all testimony, if we receive testimony, will be public. Deliberations will be of a private nature,” Nemes said.

Impeachment has been a rare procedure in Kentucky, with only four known instances, according to the Legislative Research Commission.

In 1803, Bourbon County Surveyor Thomas Jones was impeached for overcharging the state for his services, failure to perform his duties and surveying the wrong tracts of land. 

Although Jones resigned before his Senate trial, the tribunal determined that did not terminate their authority and continued the case. The Senate found him guilty of five of the 22 charges he faced, and permanently disqualified him from office.

In 1888, State Treasurer “Honest Dick” Tate disappeared with most of the funds in the state treasury. Although he and the money were never found, he was tried and convicted in absentia. It is believed he made off with nearly $200,000.

In 1916, McCreary County Judge J.E. Williams was impeached for allegedly committing misfeasance and malfeasance in office.  He was not removed from office, because the Senate did not reach the necessary 2/3 vote to convict.

In 1991, Agriculture Commissioner Ward “Butch” Burnette was impeached after he was found guilty in Franklin Circuit Court of felony theft by deception, for falsifying a department employee’s timesheet.  He was sentenced to one year in prison and fined $1,500.

He was impeached by the House, but hours before his trial was to begin, Burnette resigned from office, and the Senate voted to terminate proceedings.

Nemes says the House Impeachment Committee will meet again next week.

We have been notified that our district will receive 4,000 doses of 1st/prime dose COVID-19 vaccine spread out over the next 3 weeks for administration by our local health departments. This will be for people in Phase 1a or 1b including those 70 and older. We will take appointments by phone beginning on Monday, February 8th at 9:00 am EST/8:00 am CST. Do not call early. Do not leave your information on our answering machine. We are not keeping waiting lists. We do expect to fill all 4,000 apointment slots within the first few hours. We plan to have 30 phone lines open and 15 to 20 operators. However, we know the demand will be greater than the supply. We apologize in advance for not being able to accommodate everyone.

When our scheduling call center goes live next Monday morning, these are the numbers to dial:

• Adair: 270-384-2286
• Casey: 606-787-6911
• Clinton: 606-387-5711
• Cumberland: 270-864-2206
• Green: 270-932-4341
• McCreary: 606-376-2412
• Pulaski: 606-679-4416
• Russell: 270-343-2181
• Taylor: 270-465-4191
• Wayne: 606-348-9349

Statewide Testing Positivity Rate: 8.37%.

Deaths: We regret we must report 1 new death today. We have experienced a total of 332 deaths resulting in a 1.79% mortality rate (about 1 in 56) among known cases. This compares with a 1.05% mortality rate at the state level, and a 1.7% mortality rate at the national level. Our hearts and prayers go out to all the families and friends who have lost loved ones.

Hospitalizations: We presently have 55 cases in the hospital. This is 7 more than what we reported yesterday. We have had a total of 1,044 hospitalizations resulting in a 5.64% hospitalization rate (about 1 in 18) among known cases. The state hospitalization rate is 4.62%. The latest data shows that 97.78% of Lake Cumberland’s ICU beds are filled, and 28.33% of ventilator capacity is being utilized.

Total (Cumulative) Cases: The Lake Cumberland District has experienced a total of 18,522 cases since the onset of the outbreak. This means that 8.87% of our total population have been a confirmed case. However, we do not know how many additional people may have had COVID-19 and were either asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and never tested.

Released (Not contagious) Cases: We released 104 cases today from isolation. Released cases include: Adair: 5; Casey: 14; Clinton: 4; Cumberland: 4; Green: 3; McCreary: 15; Pulaski: 29; Russell: 9; Taylor: 18; and, Wayne: 3. In all, we have released 93.9% of our total cases.

Active (Current) Cases: We added 20 more cases today than we had deceased and/or released cases. This leaves us with 800 active cases in our district across all 10 of our district’s 10 counties. On 12/10/2020 we were at our peak number of active cases, 1,341.

Where Did Cases Visit Prior to Isolation: The most common places cases visited prior to isolation are (in descending order): Businesses, Schools, Family, and Medical Facilities. We have had 67 cases tied to Christmas gaterings, 43 tied to Thanksgiving gatherings, and 15 tied to New Year’s events. Of our active cases, 9% can not be tied back to another known case (community-spread cases).

New Cases: We report that our total case count has increased by 125 today: Adair: 4; Casey: 9; Clinton: 10; Cumberland: 1; Green: 6; McCreary: 19; Pulaski: 30; Russell: 13; Taylor: 26; and, Wayne: 7. Our current new case growth rate is: 1.006. This means our total case count is projected to double every 109.73 days. The most new cases we ever added in a single day was on 12/30/2020 when we added 301 cases.

Today’s new cases include:

Adair: A 32-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 41-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 77-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 57-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 46-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 70-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 44-year-old male who is released, 2/03/21;
Casey: A 53-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 20-year-old male who is self-isolated, Lost to follow up;
Casey: A 18-year-old female who is released, 2/03/21;
Casey: A 46-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 14-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 46-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 19-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 78-year-old male who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 38-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 16-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 31-year-old female who is released, Resolved;
Clinton: A 17-year-old female who is released, Asymptomatic;
Clinton: A 77-year-old female who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 15-year-old female who is released, Asymptomatic;
Clinton: A 17-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 16-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Cumberland: A 72-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 43-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 6-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 28-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 6-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 11-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 53-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 54-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 64-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
McCreary: A 55-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 61-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 77-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 20-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 30-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
McCreary: A 27-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 37-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 72-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 71-year-old male who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 57-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 10-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 12-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 42-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 17-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 45-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 18-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 57-year-old female who is self-isolated, Lost to follow up;
Pulaski: A 34-year-old female who is released, Resolved;
Pulaski: A 11-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 51-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 39-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 54-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 81-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Pulaski: A 34-year-old male who is released, Resolved;
Pulaski: A 37-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 21-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 45-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 40-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 38-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 72-year-old female who is released, Resolved;
Pulaski: A 49-year-old male who is released, Resolved;
Pulaski: A 48-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 31-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 15-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 72-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Pulaski: A 25-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 28-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 26-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 27-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 34-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 57-year-old female who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 32-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 56-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 70-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 54-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 71-year-old female who is released, Resolved;
Pulaski: A 18-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 52-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 10-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 13-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 13-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 16-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 77-year-old male who is deceased, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 23-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 43-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 30-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 14-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 56-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Russell: A 50-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 41-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 67-year-old male who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 57-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 72-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 22-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 41-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 27-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 12-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 9-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 6-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Taylor: A 14-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Taylor: A 42-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Taylor: A 32-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 67-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 55-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 45-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 70-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 34-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 12-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 54-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 59-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Taylor: A 8-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Taylor: A 9-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Taylor: A 66-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 44-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 12-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 36-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 45-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 61-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 59-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 60-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 16-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Wayne: A 58-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 31-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;

The death we report today is a 77-year-old individual from Russell who had been hospitalized. Our mortality rate remains high compared to state and national averages.

We released more cases today than last Thursday, so our 7-day average incidence rate has gone down slightly in our district. All 10 or our district’s 10 counties are still in the “red-critical” range of community spread.

Until the vaccine is widely available, let’s all do our part in slowing the spread of COVID-19 by wearing our face coverings, avoiding crowds (especially in confined spaces), social distancing when around others, increasing our hand hygiene, increasing our general sanitation, and by avoiding the touching of our faces.

The Lake Cumberland area has experienced 18,522 cumulative confirmed cases and there have been 372,766 confirmed COVID-19 cases across all 120 Kentucky Counties as of today (this includes 372,012 statewide plus 754 recently reported cases in Lake Cumberland not in the Governor’s/Department for Public Health’s daily report). Regardless of the confirmed case count for any Lake Cumberland County, we believe COVID-19 to be widespread. The LCDHD is working tirelessly, including nights and weekends, to identify and contact all those with whom any positive case may have come into close contact, and to follow-up with positive cases when ready to be released.

Additionally, we are striving diligently to follow-up on business-related complaints regarding noncompliance with the COVID-19 guidance. We are also working with any community partner that requests assistance for prevention or post-exposure planning/response. Finally, we are working with all community partners regarding vaccination planning.

For more statistics and local data go to LCDHD COVID-19 Information.

COVID-19 Vaccination Status

The Governor recently announced additional sites where vaccines for Phase 1a and 1b, including 70 and older, have opened. More sites will be opening in the weeks to come. You may call 1-855-598-2246, or visit vaccine.ky.gov to find out if you are eligible and where you can receive the vaccine. Remember, supplies are still limited, it may take several weeks to secure an appointment.

Locally, through a contract with the federal government, Walgreens and CVS pharmacies continue to vaccinate the long-term care facilities and personal care homes — residents and staff.

Five hundred prime/1st dose vaccines are coming into the Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital each week for folks in the 1a and 1b group, including those 70 and older. Their COVID-19 hotline phone number 1-844-675-3390.

The Lake Cumberland District Health Department will be receiving more vaccine beginning next week. We will begin taking appointments on Monday, February 8th at 9:00 am EST/8:00 am CST. Please do not call early, and do not leave your information on our answering machine. We are not keeping any sort of waiting list.

Also, select providers are receiving vaccine for school staff.

Counties where 1st Dose School Clinics are Complete/Largely Complete

• Taylor County the week of 1/8/21 by Taylor Regional Hospital with approximately 300 vaccinations administered.
• Casey County on 1/20/21 by Cumberland Family Medical with approximately 150 vaccinations administered.
• Adair County on 1/22/21 by Cumberland Family Medical with approximately 200 vaccinations administered.
• Clinton County on 1/22/21 by Cumberland Family Medical with approximately 160 vaccinations administered.
• Cumberland County on 1/27/21 by Cumberland Family Medical with approximately 100 vaccinations administered.
• Russell County on 1/28/21 by Cumberland Family Medical with approximately 300 vaccinations administered.
• Green County on 1/29/21 by Cumberland Family Medical with approximately 150 vaccinations administered.
• Wayne County on 2/1/21 by Cumberland Family Medical with approximately 280 vaccinations administered.
• McCreary County on 2/4/21 by Kroger Pharmacy with approximately 250 vaccinations administered.

Counties where 1st Dose School Clinics are in Progress

• Pulaski is in progress and is being handled by Lake Cumberland Medical Associates.

Liberty, KY. (February 4, 2021) — The Kentucky State Police Electronic Crime Branch arrested Kaleb P. Hatfield, 23, on charges related to child sexual abuse material.

Hatfield was arrested as the result of an undercover Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigation. The KSP Electronic Crime Branch began the investigation after discovering the suspect uploading images of child sexual exploitation online.

The investigation resulted in the execution of a search warrant at a residence in Liberty on February 4, 2021. Equipment used to facilitate the crime was seized and taken to KSP’s digital forensic laboratory for examination. The investigation is ongoing.

Hatfield is currently charged with 20 counts of distribution of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor, a class D felony.

The Kentucky Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force is comprised of more than twenty-six local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. The mission of the ICAC Task Force, created by the United States Department of Justice and administrated by the Kentucky State Police, is to assist state and local law enforcement agencies in developing a response to cyber enticement and child sexual abuse material investigations. This support encompasses forensic and investigative components, training and technical assistance, victim services, prevention and community education. The ICAC program was developed in response to the increasing number of children and teenagers using the internet, the proliferation of child sexual abuse material, and the heightened online activity of predators searching for unsupervised contact with underage victims.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) - Lawmakers returned from their recess on Tuesday with the main action being an override of all six vetoes by Gov. Andy Beshear, which in turn prompted a lawsuit against three of the bills.

Of the seven bills passed by lawmakers during the first part of the 2021 session, the governor vetoed six, and allowed the seventh to become law without his signature.


Utilizing their super majority powers, they used the opening day of the second part of the short session to override the governor's actions.

--Senate Bill 1 limits a governor’s emergency executive orders to 30 days, unless an extension is approved by the General Assembly, meaning he would have to call them into a special session, for any emergency lasting longer than 30 days.

--SB 2 gives more legislative oversight of emergency administrative regulations enacted by executive branch agencies, including the governor’s office.

--House Bill 1 allows any business, for-profit or not-for-profit organization, local government, association, or any school or school district, public, private, or religiously affiliated, to remain open and fully operational for in-person services so long as it adopts an operating plan that meets or exceeds all applicable guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or by the executive branch, whichever is least restrictive.  This bill is only in effect until the end of the year.

--HB 2 allows the attorney general to proactively take legal action against abortion providers who violate state law, instead of having to wait for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to ask them for help.

--HB 3 eliminates the requirement that civil lawsuits against the state be heard in Franklin Circuit Court.

--HB 5 increases legislative oversight of executive branch agency reorganizations by the Governor.

While Congress requires a 2/3 vote to override the veto of a President, the General Assembly only needed a simple majority in both chambers to override a Gubernatorial veto.  Since the Republicans hold a supermajority in both the House and Senate, they had no problem mustering the needed votes.

Because each of the six bills contained an emergency clause, they become effective as soon as they are filed with the Secretary of State’s office.

Gov. Beshear quickly filed a lawsuit at Franklin Circuit Court as soon as the votes were recorded, asking that three of the bills be thrown out as unconstitutional, and that temporary and permanent injunctive relief be grated, to halt enforcement of the new laws.

The 236-page suit states, “Through HB 1, SB 1 and SB 2, the General Assembly seeks to unlawfully infringe on the Governor’s executive authority to respond to emergencies, control, supervise and direct the Governor’s emergency response actions, exercise executive authority itself, and undermine the Governor’s executive authority by delegating it to entities outside of state government.”

According to the suit, “Through HB 1, the General Assembly seeks to manage the response to the COVID-19 emergency, by creating its own response in place of the Governor’s public health measures. Similarly, SB 1 seeks to provide the General Assembly with active supervision over and approval of the executive action during future emergencies. In particular, SB 1 gives the General Assembly the executive authority to approve any extension, modification, or termination of any emergency executive order, administrative regulation, or directive, and the authority to terminate a declaration of emergency by joint resolution at any time.”

The suit says SB 2 is unconstitutional, “By invading the executive power and function of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services – an executive branch Cabinet – to act to protect Kentuckians from infectious or contagious diseases by limiting any administrative regulation issued under KRS Chapter 214 from being in effect longer than 30 days if it places restrictions on the in-person meeting or functioning certain entities.”

In a statement, the governor said, “Today, the General Assembly attempted to surrender to COVID-19 and accept the casualties. As your governor, I cannot let this happen.  I have filed this action to continue to fight for the protection of all Kentuckians.”

He added: “The lesson is clear: When a governor takes action, his or her state experiences fewer deaths.  When a governor does not, the results are tragic.”

 Deputy Derek Padgett responded to 5439 Fairplay Road, Adair County Sheriff Josh Brockman told 99.9 the Big Dawg upon arrival Deputy Padgett located a single vehicle accident.

A preliminary investigation determined a 2014 Scion operated by Timothy Woodcox 19 of Campbellsville was South bound on highway 704 when he failed to navigate a left curve and overcorrected his vehicle, the vehicle traveled approximately 189 feet while overturning numerous times and came to a stop after striking a residence. Woodcox was transported by Adair County EMS to T.J. Health Columbia for his injuries.

Adair County Sheriff's Office was assisted on scene by Adair County EMS, Adair/Columbia Fire, Columbia Police, and Kentucky State Police.

Statewide Testing Positivity Rate: 8.83%.

Deaths: We regret we must report 2 new deaths today. We have experienced a total of 330 deaths resulting in a 1.81% mortality rate (about 1 in 55) among known cases. This compares with a 1.04% mortality rate at the state level, and a 1.69% mortality rate at the national level. Our hearts and prayers go out to all the families and friends who have lost loved ones.

Hospitalizations: We presently have 43 cases in the hospital. This is 15 less than what we reported yesterday. We have had a total of 1,031 hospitalizations resulting in a 5.64% hospitalization rate (about 1 in 18) among known cases. The state hospitalization rate is 4.58%. The latest data shows that 97.78% of Lake Cumberland’s ICU beds are filled, and 28.33% of ventilator capacity is being utilized.

Total (Cumulative) Cases: The Lake Cumberland District has experienced a total of 18,268 cases since the onset of the outbreak. This means that 8.75% of our total population have been a confirmed case. However, we do not know how many additional people may have had COVID-19 and were either asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and never tested.

Released (Not contagious) Cases: We released 102 cases today from isolation. Released cases include: Adair: 5; Casey: 6; Clinton: 3; Cumberland: 1; Green: 2; McCreary: 9; Pulaski: 35; Russell: 6; Taylor: 20; and, Wayne: 15. In all, we have released 94% of our total cases.

Active (Current) Cases: We added 44 more cases today than we had deceased and/or released cases. This leaves us with 769 active cases in our district across all 10 of our district’s 10 counties. On 12/10/2020 we were at our peak number of active cases, 1,341.

Where Did Cases Visit Prior to Isolation: The most common places cases visited prior to isolation are (in descending order): Businesses, Schools, Family, and Medical Facilities. We have had 66 cases tied to Christmas gaterings, 43 tied to Thanksgiving gatherings, and 15 tied to New Year’s events. Of our active cases, 9% can not be tied back to another known case (community-spread cases).

New Cases: We report that our total case count has increased by 148 today: Adair: 6; Casey: 12; Clinton: 10; Cumberland: 5; Green: 6; McCreary: 9; Pulaski: 51; Russell: 13; Taylor: 24; and, Wayne: 12. Our current new case growth rate is: 1.007. This means our total case count is projected to double every 103.3 days. The most new cases we ever added in a single day was on 12/30/2020 when we added 301 cases. Today’s new cases include:

Adair: A 7-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Adair: A 43-year-old male who is released, 1/28/21;
Adair: A 31-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 11-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Adair: A 46-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 47-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 28-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 19-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 47-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 60-year-old female who is deceased, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 18-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 41-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 49-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 8-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 70-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 38-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 47-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 19-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 31-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 56-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 60-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 11-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Clinton: A 6-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 39-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Clinton: A 32-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Clinton: A 4-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Clinton: A 41-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Clinton: A 61-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Cumberland: A 50-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Cumberland: A 34-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Cumberland: A 54-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Cumberland: A 43-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Cumberland: A 24-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 63-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 3-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 55-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 59-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 37-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 15-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
McCreary: A 31-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 20-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 65-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
McCreary: A 76-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 60-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 19-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 17-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 39-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 45-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 21-year-old male who is hospitalized, Asymptomatic;
Pulaski: A 61-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 50-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 1-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 38-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 27-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 66-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 18-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 34-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 59-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 58-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 75-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 63-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 45-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 57-year-old male who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 14-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 2-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 29-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 27-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 9-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 21-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 15-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 17-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 61-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 57-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 40-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 61-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 58-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 60-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 67-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 64-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 40-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 59-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 39-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 39-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 42-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 41-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 77-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 66-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 1-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 27-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 27-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 19-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 54-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 53-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 84-year-old female who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 29-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 24-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 8-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 13-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 49-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 29-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 21-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 30-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 45-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 28-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Russell: A 40-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 54-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 53-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 49-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 20-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 22-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 72-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 33-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 22-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 22-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 57-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 54-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 21-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 32-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Taylor: A 28-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 8-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Taylor: A 55-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 44-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 21-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 9-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Taylor: A 31-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 42-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 37-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 66-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 65-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 24-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 28-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 20-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 19-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 31-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 72-year-old female who is deceased, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 46-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 69-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 41-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 39-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 31-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 45-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 15-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 17-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 37-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 59-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 29-year-old male who is released, Resolved;
Wayne: A 25-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 61-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;

The deaths we report today are: a 60-year-old individual from Casey, and a 72-year-old individual from Taylor who had been hospitalized.

Today we took appointments for the 700 COVID-19 vaccination slots we had available from the one-time push of vaccine from the state. We had 20 phone lines and several operators taking calls. All the appointment slots were filled in the first 2 and a half hours. In the first hour alone, we had over 50,000 attempted dial-ins. Over the full 2 and a half hours we had 110,000 attempted dial-ins. We apologize for those who could not get though, or for those who got through but were not able to speak to an operator before your call was dropped. In the future, should we get additional vaccine allocated to us, we will try to tweak our queue system so those who do get through will be able to remain on hold until an operator picks up.

As the Director of the District Health Department, as you can imagine, my time is and has been of high demand ever since COVID-19 entered our district in March. I can’t possibly respond to every email and phone call from people who would like to correspond with me. I post daily all COVID-19 related information via this Daily Brief and have set up a call center at the health department to answer the public’s questions.

Unfortunately, we added more new cases today than last Tuesday; thus our 7-day average incidence rate went up slightly. All 10 of our counties remain in the “red critical” range of community spread. Until the vaccine is widely available, let’s all do our part in slowing the spread of COVID-19 by wearing our face coverings, avoiding crowds (especially in confined spaces), social distancing when around others, increasing our hand hygiene, increasing our general sanitation, and by avoiding touching our faces.

The Lake Cumberland area has experienced 18,268 cumulative confirmed cases and there have been 367,593 confirmed COVID-19 cases across all 120 Kentucky Counties as of today (this includes 366,938 statewide plus 655 recently reported cases in Lake Cumberland not in the Governor’s/Department for Public Health’s daily report). Regardless of the confirmed case count for any Lake Cumberland County, we believe COVID-19 to be widespread. The LCDHD is working tirelessly, including nights and weekends, to identify and contact all those with whom any positive case may have come into close contact, and to follow-up with positive cases when ready to be released. Additionally, we are striving diligently to follow-up on business-related complaints regarding noncompliance with the COVID-19 guidance. We are also working with any community partner that requests assistance for prevention or post-exposure planning/response. Finally, we are working with all community partners regarding vaccination planning.

For more statistics and local data go to LCDHD COVID-19 Information.

COVID-19 Vaccination Status

The Governor announced four new sites where vaccines for Phase 1a and 1b, including 70 and older, will be opening. More sites will be opening in the weeks to come. You may call 1-855-598-2246, or visit vaccine.ky.gov to find out if you are eligible and where you can receive the vaccine. Remember, supplies are still limited, it may take several weeks to secure an appointment.

Locally, through a contract with the federal government, Walgreens and CVS pharmacies continue to vaccinate the long-term care facilities and personal care homes — residents and staff.

Five hundred prime/1st dose vaccines are coming into the Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital each week for folks in the 1a and 1b group, including those 70 and older. Their COVID-19 hotline phone number is 1-844-675-3390.

The Lake Cumberland District Health Department has no more available appointments for 1st/Prime dose COVID-19 vaccine and haven’t been promised additional vaccine into the future. Therefore, we are not keeping any sort of waiting list.

Though the federal program, Operation Warp Speed, beginning next week, Green River Pharmacy in Casey will be receiving 100 doses per week for folks in the 1a and 1b group, including those 70 and older. Their number is 606-787-2100. I understand they have already booked all the appointment slots for next week.

Also, select providers are receiving vaccine for school staff.

Counties where 1st Dose School Clinics are Complete/Largely Complete

• Taylor County the week of 1/8/21 by Taylor Regional Hospital with approximately 300 vaccinations administered.
• Casey County on 1/20/21 by Cumberland Family Medical with approximately 150 vaccinations administered.
• Adair County on 1/22/21 by Cumberland Family Medical with approximately 200 vaccinations administered.
• Clinton County on 1/22/21 by Cumberland Family Medical with approximately 160 vaccinations administered.
• Cumberland County on 1/27/21 by Cumberland Family Medical with approximately 100 vaccinations administered.
• Russell County on 1/28/21 by Cumberland Family Medical with approximately 300 vaccinations administered.
• Green County on 1/29/21 by Cumberland Family Medical with approximately 150 vaccinations administered.
• Wayne County on 2/1/21 by Cumberland Family Medical with approximately 280 vaccinations administered.

Counties where 1st Dose School Clinics are in Progress

• Pulaski is in progress and is being handled by Lake Cumberland Medical Associates.

Counties where 1st Dose School Clinics are Scheduled

• McCreary County will receive vaccines during the week of 2/1/21 and is being handled by Kroger.

As we learn more, we will post it.

https://www.lcdhd.org/info-tools/health-assessments-and-statistics/health_report_card/covid19-state-wide-outbreak-2/covid-19-media-public/daily-brief/

#TeamKentucky

#TogetherKY

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) - Lawmakers return to Frankfort on Tuesday, to begin the second part of the 2021 General Assembly with a state budget, gambling, and veto overrides among items to be addressed.

There are four budget bills under consideration, for the Executive Branch, Transportation Cabinet, Legislative Branch and Judicial Branch.

All four were passed as continuations of the current fiscal year.  The Senate did make minor changes in each, which required concurrence by the House.  They would not agree, and the Senate would not back down from their changes, so conference committees were named to begin the real work on crafting a budget for the fiscal year starting July 1.

This marked a change from previous years, where the House would spend a month or more to craft a complete budget, the Senate would then come up with their own version, the House would not agree to the changes made by the Senate, and conference committees would then be named.  This way, they were able to get the budget bills into the conference committees after just eight legislative days, instead of waiting for the waning days of the session.

Historical horse racing, which the Kentucky Supreme Court determined last September was not pari-mutuel wagering and therefore is not legal in Kentucky, may have new life as legislation will soon be filed to legalize it.

The high court denied a motion for rehearing in January, which essentially ended a decade long battle over the legality issue.  It also led to the temporary closing of the historical horse racing facility at Lexington’s Red Mile, a few days later.

This prompted Sen. John Schickel, R-Union, to announce he will file legislation Tuesday to allow historical horse racing.

“The bill, which I am pleased to say will be co-sponsored by Senate President Robert Stivers, will address the recent Kentucky Supreme Court decision on pari-mutuel wagering and ensure that historical horse racing facilities are able to continue operating, while employing Kentuckians, generating state tax revenue and strengthening our signature equine industry,” Schickel said.

The measure will be taken up on Thursday by the Senate Licensing and Occupations Committee, of which Schickel serves as chairman.

In response to that, Richard Nelson of the Commonwealth Policy Center noted that the threat of tracks losing tens of millions in new infrastructure costs is real, as is the prospect of the state losing $21 million in tax revenue.  Still, he stated:

“State-sponsored gambling hurts people on a wide scale, especially the poor.  They're sold a bill of goods that promises them a way out of their poverty. But the path toward a better life doesn't come by pushing the button and being mesmerized by spinning wheels. The bells and whistles and even an occasional win are more likely to lead to more poverty. As much as casino interests talk about jobs and the economy, they certainly don't specialize in altruism and the well-being of players. They make money through people losing. 

“Maybe at this point the horse tracks have developed a sense of empathy toward those who've lost their money playing video slots. An estimated $2 billion was wagered on video slots at Kentucky's six casinos in 2019, and many of the players lost way more than they can afford.”

Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed six of the seven bills passed during the first eight days of the 2021 session:

--Senate Bill 1 would limit a Governor’s emergency executive orders to 30 days, unless an extension is approved by the General Assembly.

--SB 2, gives more legislative oversight of emergency administrative regulations.

--House Bill 1 allows any business, for-profit or not-for-profit organization, local government, association, or any school or school district, public, private, or religiously affiliated, to remain open and fully operational for in-person services so long as it adopts an operating plan that meets or exceeds all applicable guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or by the executive branch, whichever is least restrictive.

--HB 2 allows the Attorney General to proactively take legal action against abortion providers who violate state law, instead of having to wait for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to ask them for help.

--HB 3 eliminates the requirement that civil lawsuits against the state be heard in Franklin Circuit Court.

--HB 5 increases legislative oversight of executive branch agency reorganizations by the Governor.

While Congress requires a 2/3 vote to override the veto of a President, the General Assembly only needs a simple majority to override a Gubernatorial veto.

The only other legislation passed by lawmakers and sent to the Governor so far, was SB 9, the “Born Alive Bill,” requiring healthcare professionals to take appropriate steps and provide reasonable care for a born alive infant.  Beshear allowed this to become law without his signature.

Under the Kentucky Constitution, lawmakers have 22 more legislative days this year, and cannot meet beyond March 30.

BBB Tip: Don’t share your COVID-19 vaccine card on social media

Did you just get your COVID-19 vaccine? That’s great, but don’t share a photo of your vaccination card on social media. The self-identifying information on it makes you vulnerable to identity theft and can help scammers create phony versions.

What to watch out for:

You got your COVID-19 inoculation, and you are excited to share the good news and encourage others to do the same. You take a selfie holding your vaccination card and post it to Facebook, Instagram, or another social media platform.

Unfortunately, your card has your full name and birthday on it, as well as information about where you got your vaccine. If your social media privacy settings aren’t set high, you may be giving valuable information away for anyone to use.

Sharing your personal information isn’t the only issue. Scammers in Great Britain were caught selling fake vaccination cards on eBay and TikTok. It’s only a matter of time before similar cons come to the United States and Canada. Posting photos of your card can help provide scammers with information they can use to create and sell phony ones.

How to share safely on social media:

• Share your vaccine sticker or use a profile frame instead. If you want to post about your vaccine, there are safer ways to do it. You can share a photo of your vaccine sticker or set a frame around your profile picture.
• Review your security settings. Check your security settings on all social media platforms to see what you are sharing and with whom. If you only want friends and family to see your posts, be sure that’s how your privacy settings are configured.
• Be wary of answering popular social media prompts. Sharing your vaccine photo is just the latest social trend. Think twice before participating in other viral personal posts, such as listing all the cars you’ve owned (including makes/model years), favorite songs, and top 10 TV shows. Some of these “favorite things” are commonly used passwords or security questions.

For more information:

BBB has identified many ways in which scammers are cashing in the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about vaccine scams,  clinical trial scams, contract tracing cons, counterfeit face masks, and government agency imposters.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Campbellsville Police Department today, February 2, 2021, in an effort to be transparent with the general public and to inform of current activities releases their monthly activity report for January 2021. Activity Month Year To Date Calls for Service 855 855 Criminal Investigations Opened 39 39 Non-Injury Collisions Investigated 34 34 Injury Collisions Investigated 2 2 Arrests Made 251 251 DUI Arrests 4 4 Warrants Served 111 111 Citations Issued 523 523 Speeding Citations Issued 25 25 Seatbelt Violations Issued 26 26 Total Drug Cases 10 10 Total Drug-Related Arrests 32 32 Criminal Case Clearance Rate 34.38% ** ______________________________________________________________________ Date: Time: Location: Campbellsville, KY Agencies Involved: Campbellsville Police Department Investigating Officers: Approving Supervisor: Chief Mitch Bailey 

Columbia, KY (February 2, 2021) Kentucky State Police Post 15 received a call from Adair county dispatch this morning at approximately 00:45 in regards to a fatal collision that had occurred seven miles east of Columbia on the Louie B. Nunn Cumberland Parkway at the 56 mile marker. Preliminary investigations indicate that Abel Vargas, age 21 of Russell Springs, KY was operating a 2003 Nissan pickup westbound on the Parkway when he lost control due to slick road conditions. Vargas’ vehicle travelled through the median and overturned in the middle of the eastbound lane. Howard Carpenter, age 47 of Russell Springs, KY was operating a 2017 Nissan Rogue east bound and was unable to avoid the collision and struck the overturned Nissan pickup. A passenger in Vargas’s vehicle, Alejandro Diaz, age 20 of Middleburg, KY was able to exit the vehicle and was standing in the roadway when a 2021 freightliner semi operated by Allen McDaniel age 49 of Mclean, TX approached the scene and was unable to stop, striking Diaz and the Nissan Rogue. Carpenter was airlifted to the University of Louisville Hospital with serious injuries. Vargas was transported to the Russell County Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Diaz was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Adair county Coroner. McDaniel and his passenger, Vallerie McDaniel, age 48 were not injured. This incident remains under investigation by Sergeant Adam Likins. Other KSP personnel, Adair County Sheriff’s Department, Adair County EMS, Adair County Coroner’s office and Air Evac Lifeteam assisted at the scene.

 

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky's top Republican lawmakers signaled Monday that the legislature will move ahead with votes to override the Democratic governor's vetoes of bills limiting his executive powers to respond to emergencies such as the coronavirus pandemic.

Gov. Andy Beshear replied with a blunt warning that the fight isn't over.

"If their comment is 'We're going to override your vetoes no matter what and maybe we can talk later,' I guess mine is: 'We'll see you in court,'" he said. "I cannot and will not let the health and the lives of the people of Kentucky be put in this danger when we are so close to getting out of this."

House Speaker David Osborne and Senate President Robert Stivers sent a letter earlier Monday informing the governor of their plans to sweep aside his veto. Their letter was a response to the governor's recent overture outlining possible compromises.

Beshear maintains the steps he has taken to limit activity during the pandemic saved lives. He has said the GOP-backed bills amount to unconstitutional encroachments on his legal authority to respond to emergencies.

The legislative leaders' letter was obtained by The Associated Press through an open records request. Lawmakers reconvene Tuesday after an extended break.

In the letter, Osborne and Stivers offered to talk later about possible modifications after the votes.

"Given our time constraints, we are compelled to proceed with the veto override votes this week," they wrote. "Regardless of the outcome of those votes, we will be happy to sit down with you as soon as schedules allow and talk about what modifications might improve the legislation and its application to the ongoing pandemic."

Holding supermajorities in the House and Senate, Republicans have the numbers to override the governor's vetoes. Passage of the bills dominated the early part of this year's legislative session.

Later Monday, Beshear told reporters that he put compromise offers on the table and followed up repeatedly to gauge whether the top GOP lawmakers were willing to meet.

"And then the day before the session's about the start, we got a letter saying, 'We don't have time, we're going to override your vetoes and maybe we can talk after,'" the governor said.

In threatening to go to court, Beshear said, the measures would undo crucial rules — such as the mask mandate and limits on gatherings — to combat the coronavirus.

In their letter, Osborne and Stivers told the governor that discussing possible changes to the bills would be a challenge given the amount of work ahead for lawmakers in the short session. Tuesday will be the ninth day of the 30-day session.

Lawmakers have a new state budget and several other issues to confront, including legislation to preserve historical race wagering — a priority for the state's horse tracks. Last year, the state Supreme Court ruled that at least some forms of historical race wagering don't meet pari-mutuel wagering standards under Kentucky law.

Osborne and Stivers signaled that override votes will be on the agenda. One vetoed bill would limit the governor's executive orders in times of emergency to 30 days unless extended by lawmakers. It would apply to orders restricting in-person meetings of schools, businesses and religious gatherings or when imposing quarantine or isolation requirements.

Republican lawmakers have complained about the length of the governor's emergency powers. In his letter, Beshear suggested linking the timeframe of a state emergency to the corresponding federal emergency declaration, giving him additional leeway to respond to the crisis.

Beshear also proposed creating an obligation for a governor's administration, during times of emergency, to report to a legislative committee monthly on the state of the emergency and the steps taken to deal with it. That was a response to another frequent complaint from GOP lawmakers — that they weren't consulted as the governor devised the state's coronavirus response.

Beshear also raised concerns in his letter about another bill that would eliminate the governor's ability to temporarily reorganize boards, commissions, agencies and cabinets when the legislature isn't in session. He warned those limitations could at times prevent the "faithful execution" of law and could disqualify Kentucky from some federal grants.

Another vetoed bill would require businesses and schools to comply either with COVID-19 guidelines from the governor or the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They could follow whichever standard is least restrictive. Republican lawmakers said that would instill greater certainty to keep businesses and schools open as the battle against the virus continues.

The Lake Cumberland District Health Department has received a limited supply of 700 COVID-19 vaccines and will be hosting clinics this week. This is only for those in Phase 1a or Phase 1b, including those 70 and older. This is a one-time vaccine allocation from the state. Not every county in our district received an allocation. We will schedule appointments for these vaccines beginning tomorrow (on Tuesday, February the 2nd) at 9:00 am EST/8:00 am CST (don’t call early, the service will not be operational). From the list below, call the county for which you would like to schedule an appointment. Once the automated attendant starts, dial “9”.

• Adair: 270-384-2286
• Casey: 606-787-6911
• Clinton: 606-387-5711
• Green: 270-932-4341
• Russell: 270-343-2181
• Taylor: 270-465-4191
• Wayne: 606-348-9349

Remember, the supply is limited, and we anticipate much more demand than we have supply. We apologize in advance that we will not be able to accommodate everyone who wants a vaccine.

Statewide Testing Positivity Rate: 8.85%.

Deaths: We are sad to report 1 new death today. We have experienced a total of 328 deaths resulting in a 1.81% mortality rate (about 1 in 55) among known cases. This compares with a 1.04% mortality rate at the state level, and a 1.69% mortality rate at the national level. Our hearts and prayers go out to all the families and friends who have lost loved ones.

Hospitalizations: We presently have 58 cases in the hospital. This is 6 more than what we reported yesterday. We have had a total of 1,026 hospitalizations resulting in a 5.66% hospitalization rate (about 1 in 18) among known cases. The state hospitalization rate is 4.58%. The latest data shows that 91.11% of Lake Cumberland’s ICU beds are filled, and 27.59% of ventilator capacity is being utilized.

Total (Cumulative) Cases: The Lake Cumberland District has experienced a total of 18,120 cases since the onset of the outbreak. This means that 8.67% of our total population have been a confirmed case. However, we do not know how many additional people may have had COVID-19 and were either asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and never tested.

Released (Not contagious) Cases: We released 123 cases today from isolation. Released cases include: Adair: 8; Casey: 10; Clinton: 6; Cumberland: 5; Green: 8; McCreary: 14; Pulaski: 31; Russell: 3; Taylor: 29; and, Wayne: 9. In all, we have released 94.2% of our total cases.

Active (Current) Cases: Taking into account deaths and releases, our active cases decreased by 40 more than the new cases we added today. This leaves us with 725 active cases in our district across all 10 of our district’s 10 counties. On 12/10/2020 we were at our peak number of active cases, 1,341.

Where Did Cases Visit Prior to Isolation: The most common places cases visited prior to isolation are (in descending order): Businesses, Family, Schools, and Medical Facilities. We have had 66 cases tied to Christmas gaterings, 43 tied to Thanksgiving gatherings, and 15 tied to New Year’s events. Of our active cases, 9% can not be tied back to another known case (community-spread cases).

New Cases: We report that our total case count has increased by 84 today: Adair: 1; Casey: 2; Clinton: 3; Cumberland: 6; Green: 5; McCreary: 5; Pulaski: 34; Russell: 12; Taylor: 8; and, Wayne: 8. Our current new case growth rate is: 1.007. This means our total case count is projected to double every 106.08 days. The most new cases we ever added in a single day was on 12/30/2020 when we added 301 cases. Today’s new cases include:

Adair: A 27-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 48-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 41-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 15-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 45-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Clinton: A 73-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Cumberland: A 28-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Cumberland: A 20-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Cumberland: A 2-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Cumberland: A 8 months -old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Cumberland: A 19-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Cumberland: A 56-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 7-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 49-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 38-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 26-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Green: A 19-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 8-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 11-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 36-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 54-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 9-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
McCreary: A 31-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Pulaski: A 39-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 40-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 19-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 55-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 16-year-old female who is released, 1/31/21;
Pulaski: A 14-year-old male who is released, 1/31/21;
Pulaski: A 9-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 42-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Pulaski: A 91-year-old female who is released, 1/30/21;
Pulaski: A 41-year-old female who is self-isolated, Lost to follow up;
Pulaski: A 20-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 71-year-old male who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 25-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 84-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Pulaski: A 30-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Pulaski: A 61-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 69-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 37-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 70-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 55-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 58-year-old male who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 37-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 46-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 19-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 78-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 59-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 54-year-old male who is released, 1/31/21;
Pulaski: A 17-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 64-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 21-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 60-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 36-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 59-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 72-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 82-year-old female who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 45-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 17-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 36-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 45-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 60-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 51-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 57-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 47-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 49-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 10 months -old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 49-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 47-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 10-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 8-year-old female who is released, 1/31/21;
Taylor: A 18-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 19-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 18-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 67-year-old female who is hospitalized, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 37-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 17-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 29-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 62-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 69-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 50-year-old female who is self-isolated, Lost to follow up;
Wayne: A 59-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Wayne: A 71-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;

A close look at our data may appear that McCreary, Taylor, and Wayne’s numbers are off. This is because we moved 1 case each from McCreary and Taylor to Wayne.

The death we report today is a 69-year-old individual from Pulaski who had been hospitalized.

Last Monday we added 68 new cases, today 84. Thus, our district-wide 7-day average incidence rate went up slightly. Until the vaccine is widely available, let’s all do our part in slowing the spread of COVID-19 by wearing our face coverings, avoiding crowds (especially in confined spaces), social distancing when around others, increasing our hand hygiene, increasing our general sanitation, and by avoiding the touching of our faces.

The Lake Cumberland area has experienced 18,120 cumulative confirmed cases and there have been 365,146 confirmed COVID-19 cases across all 120 Kentucky Counties as of today (this includes 364,507 statewide plus 639 recently reported cases in Lake Cumberland not in the Governor’s/Department for Public Health’s daily report). Regardless of the confirmed case count for any Lake Cumberland County, we believe COVID-19 to be widespread. The LCDHD is working tirelessly, including nights and weekends, to identify and contact all those with whom any positive case may have come into close contact, and to follow-up with positive cases when ready to be released. Additionally, we are striving diligently to follow-up on business-related complaints regarding noncompliance with the COVID-19 guidance. We are also working with any community partner that requests assistance for prevention or post-exposure planning/response. Finally, we are working with all community partners regarding vaccination planning.

For more statistics and local data go to LCDHD COVID-19 Information.

COVID-19 Vaccination Status

The Governor announced four new sites where vaccines for Phase 1a and 1b, including 70 and older, will be opening. More sites will be opening in the weeks to come. You may call 1-855-598-2246, or visit vaccine.ky.gov to find out if you are eligible and where you can receive the vaccine. Remember, supplies are still limited, it may take several weeks to secure an appointment.

Locally, through a contract with the federal government, Walgreens and CVS pharmacies continue to vaccinate the long-term care facilities and personal care homes — residents and staff.

Five hundred prime/1st dose vaccines are coming into the Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital each week for folks in the 1a and 1b group, including those 70 and older. Their COVID-19 hotline phone number is 1-844-675-3390.

Though the federal program, Operation Warp Speed, beginning next week, Green River Pharmacy in Casey will be receiving 100 doses per week for folks in the 1a and 1b group, including those 70 and older. Their number is 606-787-2100. I understand they have already booked all the appointment slots for next week.

Also, select providers are receiving vaccine for school staff.

Counties where 1st Dose School Clinics are Complete/Largely Complete

• Taylor County the week of 1/8/21 by Taylor Regional Hospital with approximately 300 vaccinations administered.
• Casey County on 1/20/21 by Cumberland Family Medical with approximately 150 vaccinations administered.
• Adair County on 1/22/21 by Cumberland Family Medical with approximately 200 vaccinations administered.
• Clinton County on 1/22/21 by Cumberland Family Medical with approximately 160 vaccinations administered.
• Cumberland County on 1/27/21 by Cumberland Family Medical with approximately 100 vaccinations administered.
• Russell County on 1/28/21 by Cumberland Family Medical with approximately 300 vaccinations administered.
• Green County on 1/29/21 by Cumberland Family Medical with approximately 150 vaccinations administered.
• Wayne County on 2/1/21 by Cumberland Family Medical with approximately 280 vaccinations administered.

Counties where 1st Dose School Clinics are in Progress

• Pulaski is in progress and is being handled by Lake Cumberland Medical Associates.

Counties where 1st Dose School Clinics are Scheduled

• McCreary County will receive vaccines during the week of 2/1/21 and is being handled by Kroger.

As we learn more, we will post it.

https://www.lcdhd.org/info-tools/health-assessments-and-statistics/health_report_card/covid19-state-wide-outbreak-2/covid-19-media-public/daily-brief/

#TeamKentucky

#TogetherKY

Two people were injured this morning at midnight in a one vehicle accident on Smith Ridge road, Taylor County Sheriff Allen Newton told 99.9 The Big Dawg that when officer Stephen Dobson arrived at 1668 Smith Ridge he found a 1996 GMC truck resting against a tree.

On Saturday, January 30, 2021 at 3:02 A.M., Campbellsville Police received a complaint of a male with a gun at 407 South Columbia Avenue.  Officers responded and came into contact with 36 year old Dustin Jones of Greensburg.  After an investigation, it was determined that Jones was a convicted felon and that the handgun he was in possession of was stolen.  Officer Josh Morgan arrested Jones and charged him with; Possession of a Handgun by a Convicted Felon and Receiving Stolen Property (Firearm).  Jones was lodged in the Taylor County Detention Center.

Date: Saturday, January 30, 2021                Time: 3:02 A.M.

Location: 407 South Columbia Avenue, Campbellsville

Agencies Involved: Campbellsville Police Department

Investigating Officers: Officer Josh Morgan

Due to slick roads in Central Kentucky these schools have cancelled in person learning on this Monday February 1st, 2021.