LA GRANGE, Ky. — The Oldham County Health Department (OCHD) and Board of Health (BOH) have issued new guidance for slowing the spread of COVID-19. Monday morning, the board and health department voted unanimously to approve the following recommendations:
- Get vaccinated
- Wear a mask in indoor, public places
- Practice social distancing
- Avoid social activities with unvaccinated persons, especially if you are medically vulnerable
Both groups met virtually at 7 a.m. to discuss the rise in COVID cases in the county. According to OCHD Director of Public Health Matt Rhodes, Oldham County has seen a steady increase in cases - including pediatric and breakthrough cases - since the start of July.
On the Kentucky Incidence Rate map, Oldham County is listed as Orange, with a substantial rate of spread.
Rhodes said the data shows "exponential growth" of the virus and he expects Oldham County to hit more than 100 cases in one day when the data is updated in the afternoon. The data also showed that nearly 22% of reported cases from the last nine weeks have been breakthrough cases, but all hospitalizations were in unvaccinated people, including one child.
Both the health department and Board of Health are recommending that everyone wear masks indoors until case numbers decline.
“A long-held public health standard is when personal choice infringes upon the community’s health and the risk increase, sometimes public interventions are needed in order to mitigate that community risk,” Rhodes said.
Rhodes said the department's recommendations would change if and when Oldham County crossed into the Red category and had a high incidence rate of COVID-19.
Following Monday's meeting, the Oldham County Board of Education met to discuss mask policies for Oldham County Schools. Dr. Jason Radford, the superintendent for OCS, announced that the district will begin the year with a mask requirement for all students and staff while inside school buildings.
"This is not the way we wanted to begin the school year, but we have always said we would revise our plan if necessary, and our Board of Health, through the Oldham County Health Department, advises us to adjust our plan," Dr. Radford said in a statement.
Oldham County Public Schools will return to in-person instruction on Aug. 11.
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