Kentucky’s percentage of COVID-19 deaths from long term care and congregate facilities ranks next to last in the nation.
Numbers compiled from state COVID tracking websites show that nearly 67-percent of the state’s deaths linked to the coronavirus come from long-term care facilities. That compares to 54-percent in Ohio, 49-percent in Indiana, and 25-percent in Tennessee. Only New Hampshire has a higher rate.
Adam Mather with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services said Friday that 287 long-term care facilities in the state have either started or completed vaccinations through a national program through Walgreens and CVS. He said over 15,000 residents and about 8,300 staff members have received their initial dose and added they have not seen any reactions to the vaccine or received reports of staff missing work after being vaccinated. However, Mather said some facilities have split their staff in case of reactions to the vaccine.
click to download audioPublic Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack says the state’s goal is to administer 90-percent of all vaccines received in the state within seven days of arrival.
On Friday, Kentucky reported 38,267 COVID cases originating in long-term care facilities. That represents 13-percent of the state’s cases. However, the 2,021 deaths account for 67-percent of the state’s death due to the virus.
Governor Andy Beshear has stated publicly he has not been pleased with the pace of the vaccine rollout to the states and said Walgreens and CVS have pledged to improve the process.
click to download audioKentucky ranks 32nd in total COVID-19 deaths but 19th in COVID deaths from long-term care facilities.
