County sees sharp decline in COVID-19 cases

Number of vaccinated in county hard to track, but increase in doses promised

Cases of COVID-19 seem to be on a steep decline in Muhlenberg County as February begins. Muhlenberg County Health Department has reported 76 cases since the beginning of the month, and one death due to the virus. This puts the number of countians lost to the virus at a total of 50 since the beginning of the pandemic. In comparison, by Jan. 9 the department had reported 250 cases, and two deaths from the virus. In December, 167 cases and nine deaths had been reported by the ninth of the month. Before holiday get-togethers and travel had occurred, only 59 cases had been reported by Nov. 9. It was a deadly nine days however, with three deaths reported in that time span.

“Another sign of a waning pandemic was the percentage of Kentuckians testing positive for the novel coronavirus in the last seven days: 7.97%,” writes Al Cross for Kentucky Health News. “The first time it has been below 8% since Nov. 10.”

Cases are on the decline nationwide, and Kentucky remains among the top states in new cases per person. As of Monday, Kentucky ranked fifth in new cases per capita, with 48 per 100,000 people, according to the COVID-19 tracker compiled by the Washington Post. Kentucky follows South Carolina, Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma in the seven-day rolling average of daily new reported cases.

Muhlenberg County has a rate of 31.3 cases per 100,000 people, according to the state’s COVID-19 dashboard. This number is based on an average of the previous seven days.

There are now 24 of the 120 counties in the state no longer in the red zone for infection rates. A county is determined to be in the red zone if there are more than 25 cases per 100,000 population. Muhlenberg County continues to remain in the red zone at this time. Neighboring Todd County has been moved to orange, with 19.8 cases per 100,000.

Superintendent Robby Davis received his first dose of the Moderna vaccine for COVID-19 on Feb. 3 at Walmart in Central City. Walmart pharmacies have been selected by the state to administer vaccines to K-12 school employees. Davis said getting vaccinated is a light at the end of the tunnel, and a good step toward getting kids back in school. More than 500 school district staffers will be vaccinated over the next two weeks. (Leader-News photos/Stacie Barton)

Vaccinations continue to be distributed in the county. Two of the county’s largest employers are leading the way in providing the vaccine for their employees who are eligible in Phase 1A and 1B. Muhlenberg County School District is on pace to administer the first dose to 540 members of their staff, and Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital has administered 660 first doses, and 270 second doses of the vaccine.

Tracking the progress of vaccinations in the county is difficult. Private and public agencies are administering the vaccine to different groups of people within the current phases, which include healthcare workers, first responders, K-12 employees and people over 70 years of age.

Nursing homes, assisted living facilities and healthcare clinics have been administering the vaccine to staff and residents.

The health department has administered 313 doses. Director Cathy Bethel said vials normally have 10 doses in them, but occasionally there can be an extra dose. “When we have one of those doses, we give it,” Bethel said. They refer to these extra doses as “angle doses”.

Members of the general public who are eligible because they are 70 or older will most likely have to travel outside Muhlenberg County for an appointment to be vaccinated. The health department waiting list has been on a freeze for several weeks, and Bethel said the list continues to be on hold. Supplies are limited and demand is high, she said.

“Individuals are not able to schedule appointments with us at this time,” Bethel said. “When first dose vaccine is available, we will start with the healthcare list, first responder list, and then the 70-and-over list to schedule appointments.”

Bethel said the supply the department has received in the past week or so has been second doses for those who have received their first dose vaccine with the health department. She said things change daily and they are working hard to ensure that everyone who wants the vaccine can get it.

The federal government has promised an increase of five percent in the vaccine supply. Kentucky’s public health commissioner Dr. Stack announced for the next three weeks, every district health department and county health department will receive a vaccine allocation equivalent to one percent of the population of each county they serve, rounded to the nearest 100, with a minimum allocation of 100 doses per county.

“All 120 counties will now be serviced through their local health departments,” said Dr. Stack. “The quantities are insufficient. The vaccine quantities, overall, are not enough for the task, but this is still incremental progress.”

Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Healthplex anticipates a local vaccine clinic in March, and appointments can be scheduled at multiple Owensboro Health locations by calling 270-685-7100 or visiting their website at owensborohealth.org/vaccine. At this time, these appointments are for those who are eligible in Phase 1A and 1B.

Regional vaccination sites continue to be a good bet for many who are currently eligible and can travel outside Muhlenberg County. Baptist Health in Madisonville is currently scheduling appointments, via their website at baptisthealth.com/vaccine.

On Feb. 4, Gov. Andy Beshear announced the addition of four more regional vaccination sites, including Greenwood Mall in Bowling Green. The Bowling Green location is operated through Kroger Health, and appointments can be scheduled by calling 866-211-5320.

State officials have also announced a resource for Kentuckians who are not currently eligible or are unable to locate an available vaccination appointment. A quick questionnaire at vaccine.ky.gov will register you for notifications when you are eligible and where you can receive the COVID-19 vaccine. They will also assist by telephone, by calling 855-598-2246.