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Gov. Beshear: All Kentuckians 16 and older eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine

In News, State by OC Monitor Staff

FRANKFORT, Ky. — On Monday, Gov. Andy Beshear said all Kentuckians 16 and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The Pfizer vaccine is approved for individuals 16 and older; the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are approved for individuals 18 and older.

“Beginning today, Kentuckians as young as 16 can sign up for their shot of hope,” said Gov. Beshear. “This means Kentucky has beaten by a full month President Joe Biden’s goal and timeline for all Americans 16 and up being able to get the vaccine. These vaccines are our ticket out of this pandemic. They are not only safe; they are saving lives.”

The Governor and Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, shared new guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that fully vaccinated Americans can safely travel domestically. Updated travel guidance will be posted on kycovid19.ky.gov soon.

“We all need to get vaccinated as soon as we can so fewer variants have the opportunity to form,” said Dr. Stack. “We’ve got to stay vigilant. Wear your masks, wash your hands, socially distance and get vaccinated when it’s your turn.”

The Governor said more than 1.438 million Kentuckians have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose so far.

Gov. Beshear also highlighted five vaccination locations that have many open appointments over the next week:

To see a list of all vaccination sites that have openings this week, visit vaccinemap.ky.gov.

Case Information – Monday, April 5

As of 4 p.m. Monday, April 5, Gov. Beshear reported the following COVID-19 numbers:

New cases today: 110
New deaths today: 4
New audit deaths: 4
Positivity rate: 2.9%
Total deaths: 6,171
Currently hospitalized: 353
Currently in ICU: 97
Currently on ventilator: 46

Top counties with the most positive cases today are Jefferson, Fayette, Floyd and Montgomery. Each county reported at least six new cases.

To see a list of those reported lost to the virus today, click here.

Case Information – Sunday, April 4

On Sunday, April 4, Kentucky’s COVID-19 report included:

New cases: 299
New deaths: 5
New audit deaths: 9
Positivity rate: 2.89%
Total deaths: 6,163
Currently hospitalized: 355
Currently in ICU: 95
Currently on ventilator: 47

To see a list of those reported lost to the virus Sunday, click here.

Gov. Beshear Announces Task Force on Unemployment Insurance Fraud

Today, Gov. Beshear signed an executive order creating the Kentucky Unemployment Insurance Fraud Detection and Prevention Task Force, which will coordinate between state and federal entities to detect, investigate, prosecute and prevent unemployment insurance fraud in Kentucky. To learn more, see the full release.

National Public Health Week

Today, Gov. Beshear recognized National Public Health Week, April 5-11, 2021. To learn more, visit nphw.org.

“Thank you to everyone who works in this field. They have been our rocks in getting through this pandemic. You are heroes who are working so hard to make all our communities and families healthier,” said Gov. Beshear.

Executive Order on Pharmaceuticals

The Governor extended an executive order on pharmaceuticals that allow all Kentucky pharmacists to dispense emergency 30-day refills on medications.

More Information

To see all vaccination sites and free transportation options to and from vaccination appointments, visit vaccine.ky.gov. To see a list of vaccination sites that have openings this week, visit vaccinemap.ky.gov. If Kentuckians have questions, they should call the state’s COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline, 855-598-2246 or TTY 855-326-4654 (for deaf or hard-of-hearing Kentuckians).

To view the full daily report, incidence rate map, information on testing locations, vaccines, contact tracing, school reports and guidance, guidance for health care providers and the White House Coronavirus Task Force reports for Kentucky and more, visit kycovid19.ky.gov.