Late last month, Gov. Andy Beshear held a memorial for the Kentuckians who died of COVID-19.
“Every flag you see out here today represents a real Kentuckian,” Beshear said. “Every single one. Every loss is heartbreaking.”
But missing were flags for at least 768 more Kentuckians that local health departments had already reported died of COVID-19. By that day, local health departments reported nearly 4,100 Kentuckians had lost their lives to the virus.
A WFPL News analysis of local and regional health department data on COVID deaths found counties reported 23% more deaths than the state had by Jan. 21, a number that was not passed on to the public as coronavirus deaths surged.
Mykel Tidwell, a pharmacist and co-owner of Duncan Prescription Center in Mayfield, was vaccinated at the Graves County Health Department Wednesday morning.
GRAVES COUNTY, KY The Graves County Health Department hopes to begin administering COVID-19 vaccines to people 70 and older as early as next week if the state approves.
The Graves County health department received 300 doses of the Moderna vaccine a few days before Christmas. Since then, the department has been vaccinating employees from various health care clinics and pharmacies as part of Phase 1A of the state s vaccine deployment plan.
In addition, the health department distributed some of its vaccines to paramedics, who then vaccinated EMS crews, police officers and other first responders. They, along with the health care workers, will receive second doses four weeks after their initial injections.
Jails and prisons nationwide are dealing with growing COVID-19 cases, and family members and inmates have voiced concerns because of the close proximity of cells.
McCracken County Jail is dealing with its first COVID-19 cases. Jailer David Knight said his jail was COVID-19 free until Monday.
âBoth of them were tested just routinely at the hospital, not showing any symptoms at all, and they come back positive,â Knight said Tuesday.
Knight said both inmates are in quarantine.
Kent Koster, with the Purchase Area District Health Department, confirmed one case, and said they are waiting on the second personâs results.
Family members and inmates have voiced concerns because of the close proximity of cells.
The McCracken County Jail is dealing with its first COVID-19 cases, Jailer David Knight says. He says his jail was COVID-19 free until Monday. Both of them were tested just routinely at the hospital, not showing any symptoms at all, and they come back positive, Knight said. He said both inmates are in quarantine.
Public Health Director Kent Koster with the Purchase District Health Department confirmed one case, and said the health department is waiting to receive the second inmate s results.Â
How did two inmates who never left jail contract COVID-19? In talking to the doctors and the epidemiologists, I mean, it s possible that it could come in on any hard surface that would have been delivered, said Knight. Whether it would have been through commissary or a food vendor box, there s just a number of ways it could have.