LOUISVILLE, Ky. — For the first time since Aug. 2, Louisville has moved out of the highest level of COVID-19 incidence rate.
According to the most recent data from the Louisville Metro Department of Health and Wellness, Jefferson County had an incidence rate of 18.3 positive cases per 100,000 people last week, moving the county from red into the orange alert level.
“It's obviously a good sign to see the incidence rate and other measures decreasing," Associate Medical Director SarahBeth Hartlage said.
The number of positive cases in Louisville has decreased over the past four weeks, with fewer than 1,000 new cases and 16 deaths confirmed as of Oct. 31.
Hartlage said now is not the time to let our guards down.
“It takes no time at all for our numbers to zoom up the charts and that can happen very quickly," she said. "It also takes a long time for us to trail back down.”
The department said nearly 66% of Louisville residents received at least the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 57.8% have received both doses.
Experts expect more Louisvillians to get vaccinated, now that children in the 5-11 age group are eligible.
At Norton Children's Hospital, vaccination appointments for young children opened this week, and they already have 400 appointments scheduled this weekend.
“I think what we’ve seen in the response these last couple of days around the region and community is really that last hurrah," Norton Medical Group's director of operational optimization Dr. Sam Zuege said.
Norton doctors said the vaccine is safe for kids and the shot for 5-11-year old's is a special pediatric formulation.
With the holidays top of mind, they encouraged parents to sign their kids up for vaccinations now, to get protection for the end of the year.
"Starting now means kids will have protection for the late December holidays," Norton Healthcare Dr. Kristina Bryant said.
Bryant said getting children vaccinated now will also mean ensuring protections for the second half of the school year. She said experts recommend school age children continue to wear masks, even after vaccination.
"How many kids need to be immunized before those masks come off, we don't know," she said.
Norton is providing vaccinations for ages 5-11 at its family medicine and medical group offices, as well as at some clinics. They are not providing the vaccination at the Children's Hospital.
“We are really trying to make sure we have a proper education plan and encouraging people to schedule their kiddos at those locations where they might already have a medical home established," Dr. Zuege said. "Familiar surroundings can really make this process which can be a little apprehensive for kids a more comforting environment.”
JCPS already has a vaccination clinic scheduled for later this month. Dr. Hartlage said the Department of Health and Wellness will be able to distribute vaccines for younger children starting next week.
Data from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services shows the statewide incidence rate for Kentucky at 24.5, which is within the "substantial" or orange alert level. None of the state's 120 counties are within the green level, but 13 are at yellow.
Here is how the state breaks down incidence rate:
- Green (Low) - One (or less than one) positive case per 100,000 people
- Yellow (Moderate) - Between one and 10 positive cases per 100,000 people
- Orange (Substantial) - Between 10 and 25 positive cases per 100,000 people
- Red (High) - More than 25 positive cases per 100,000 people
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, 120,660 positive cases have been confirmed and more than 1,500 Louisville residents have died from the virus.
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