The state’s two correctional facilities in Lyon County have an outbreak of the COVID-19 cases that is affecting the penitentiary more than the correctional complex in Fredonia.
Executive Secretary Michael Brown gave his first statewide update in six weeks regarding cases in the state’s correctional facilities. Over the past two weeks, there have been 555 new cases at the state penitentiary and 70 at the correctional complex. Brown said this accounts for all but three of the active cases at the state’s 14 correctional facilities.
click to download audioBrown said 30 of the 58 new cases involving staff are at the pen and 12 at WKCC. He also said three of the inmates are in the hospital.
When the state’s vaccine plan was announced in January, Governor Andy Beshear said inmates were not included in the plan’s three phases. Last month, the state allowed inmates 70 and older to receive the vaccine. Brown said Tuesday that all state inmates will now get vaccinated with the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
click to download audioSome medical experts have requested the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccines be given to people in the most rural areas of the state so they don’t have to worry about getting the second booster shot.
However, Governor Beshear said the White House Coronavirus Task Force has let the states decide the best way to distribute the vaccines in the most equitable way. In addition to inmates, Beshear said the single-shot vaccine will be made available to homeless people and migrant workers through the state’s plan.
click to download audioKentucky reported 819 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday and announced 24 new deaths. Over one-million people or roughly 23-percent of the state’s population have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
