FRANKFORT, Ky (AP) - With more than 150 new locations, Kentucky’s vaccination rollout will begin to ramp up considerably in the next few weeks, Gov. Andy Beshear said Thursday. The announcement comes after recent increases in vaccine supplies, a development that the Democratic governor said had allowed the state to expand the Bluegrass State’s vaccination program.
“We have to increase our number of providers out there so when we get that flood of vaccines we want so badly, so that we can use them all really quickly and protect each and every one of you,” Beshear said.
The vast majority of sites will be at Walgreens and independent pharmacy locations in partnership with a federal program. There will also be six new regional vaccine centers, and 25 sites at Kroger and Walmart stores.
Public health officials have set a goal of administering 90% of supply within 7 days of delivery, a goal that has been met almost every week since Jan. 5. A winter storm Wednesday closed many vaccination centers, slowing the state’s seven-day utilization rate to 40%.
Dr. Steven Stack, Kentucky’s public health commissioner, said that he expected the sites closed due to inclement weather to be operational Friday.
“My message to all of the vaccination sites has been safety first: the safety of the people we’re trying to serve through vaccination and the safety of the people who are providing the service,” he said.
The governor also announced the state’s Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund will resume with an additional $297 million in federal coronavirus relief funds. Under the program, Kentucky residents will be able to apply for grants starting Feb. 16. Once accepted, money will be then paid out directly to landlords or utility companies. Last year, the program provided assistance to 4,135 households.
Kentucky reported 1,880 new confirmed coronavirus cases and 36 virus-related deaths Thursday. Some 1,191 people are hospitalized.
The state’s test positivity rate is about 7.1%, the lowest it has been since Nov. 6. The positivity rate is an indicator of the extent of the spread of the virus, according to the World Health Organization. If the rate is less than 5% for two weeks and testing is widespread, the virus is considered under control.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal. The vast majority of people recover.
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Follow AP’s pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.
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Hudspeth Blackburn is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
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