Limited vaccine supply means Kentuckians 70+ prioritized at Kroger, regional vaccine sites
COVID-19 cases, positivity rate continue to decline; most deaths ever reported Thursday
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 28, 2021) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced the state, in partnership with Kroger Health, will open its first regional vaccination site at the Kentucky Horse Park in Fayette County next week. Three additional regional sites are opening through partners Ephraim McDowell Hospital in Danville and Western Baptist and Lourdes Mercy both in Paducah.
The Governor also unveiled a new state website, vaccine.ky.gov, and hotline that help Kentuckians determine if they are eligible to receive a vaccine and then helps them find one in their region.
Gov. Beshear stressed that Kentucky, like other states, receives its vaccine doses from the federal government and due to limited supplies it will take time before everyone can be vaccinated. But, he said, everyone will get a turn.
“Beginning Feb. 1, 2021, the COVID-19 vaccination priority will be phase 1B, people ages 70 or older, and all vaccination sites are asked to prioritize this population until further notice,” Gov. Beshear said. “Other Kentuckians from phases 1A and 1B remain eligible for vaccination and as vaccine quantities and available appointment times allow, persons in phase 1C may also be scheduled, to ensure each vaccination site administers 90% or more of all vaccine doses received within seven days of arrival.”
Beginning Tuesday, Feb. 2, a regional vaccine site at Kentucky Horse Park’s Alltech Arena will open to those 70 and older who have an appointment. The Governor said appointments will be indoors for now but may expand to drive-through as weather warms and supplies from the federal government increases. He added that more Kroger and regional partner sites will be added and announced soon.
The Governor was joined Thursday by Pheli Roberts, health leader for Kroger Louisville Division, who shared more information about the first regional vaccination site.
Kentuckians can be vaccinated by appointment only, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday the week of Feb. 1, then from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday beginning the week of Feb. 8.
“At Kroger Health we are committed to helping people live healthier lives and we’re happy to be able to provide an easy solution to those Kentuckians seeking a vaccine,” said Roberts. “Our team at Kroger Health stands with you to keep Kentucky and the surrounding communities healthy and safe.”
Kentucky Horse Park Regional Site Sign-Up (Currently Prioritizing 70+)
Kroger regional site appointments can be scheduled directly at Kroger.com/covidvaccine or call 866-211-5320 beginning at 5 p.m. EST Thursday; Kentuckians also can be directed to contact Kroger through the state’s vaccine.ky.gov website.
This site will vaccinate 3,000 Kentuckians in the first week, approximately 600 people per day. New appointments are added to the website every around 6 a.m. daily.
Find a Vaccine Website
By answering a series of questions on the new vaccine.ky.gov website, which is protected and secure, Kentuckians can determine if they are currently eligible for a vaccine and if so will be directed to a map that shows available vaccines sites across the state, like the four new centers added Thursday. As vaccine supplies increase, more sites will be added to the map and announced.
Kentuckians not currently eligible or unable to locate an available vaccine are encouraged to sign up for text or email updates by entering their name, county of residence and an email or phone number at vaccine.ky.gov. The sign-up is not a wait list or appointment scheduler, but aims to provide alerts when a person’s eligibility changes, or, for example, when vaccines are available in an area.
Find a Vaccine Hotline
Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, said in addition to the Find a Vaccine website, a new hotline has been added to help Kentuckians who do not have access to the internet or computer or need additional assistance. The hotline – 855-598-2246 or TTY 855-326-4654 (for deaf and hard of hearing Kentuckians) – is available 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST Monday through Friday.
“Hotline operators are prepared to walk a person without internet through what's on the website via a phone call,” Dr. Stack said. “For those who are vaccine eligible, the operator can help them identify a vaccine location and connect them by phone or even help them look for an available appointment. For those not currently eligible, the operator can help the caller sign up for text or email notifications.”
Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray, who also serves as director of the Vaccine Distribution Project, shared a map of the Kentucky Horse Park location, discussed parking access and stressed patience as the state only has a limited amount of vaccines from the federal government at this time.
“We have no doubt that any available appointment will fill up immediately and we need every Kentuckian to know our ability to add more appointments and vaccine locations is strictly dependent on supply,” Secretary Gray said. “We do already have more Kroger regional sites planned in the weeks to come and we look forward to sharing that exciting news soon.”
This week, the Governor said the federal government will increase each state’s supply of COVID-19 vaccines and guarantee a minimum supply for three consecutive weeks.
“The top-line message on vaccines is the same as it has been: Our one issue is supply. Our only limitation at this point is the number of doses we can get from the federal government,” said Gov. Beshear.
The Governor added that the state had three specific challenges, all related to a limited supply of the vaccine. First, the small number of doses the state receives compared to the very large number of health care providers who would like to distribute it. Second, the state does not have enough vaccine doses or small enough vaccine batches to distribute them equitably on a county by county basis – instead the state is distributing equitably by region. Finally, as the state moves into larger and larger phases, the type of infrastructure needed from providers to accommodate patient needs changes.
Case Information
As of 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, Gov. Beshear reported the following COVID-19 numbers:
New cases today: 2,947
New deaths today: 69
Positivity rate: 9.04%
Total deaths: 3,611
Currently hospitalized: 1,561
Currently in ICU: 370
Currently on ventilator: 205
Top counties with the most positive cases today are: Jefferson, Fayette, Kenton, Daviess and Greenup. Each of these counties reported 100 or more new cases; Jefferson County alone reported 433.
To see a list of those reported lost to the virus today, click here.
Unemployment Insurance Update
Today, Amy Cubbage, general counsel for Gov. Beshear, updated Kentuckians on Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC), which provides eligible individuals with an added $100 weekly payment in addition to the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation ($300) weekly payment.
To be eligible, claimants must:
- Have received at least $5,000 of self-employment income in the most recent taxable year prior to the individual’s application for regular unemployment benefits
- Receive an unemployment insurance (UI) benefit – other than Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) – for which FPUC is payable
- Submit documentation (1099, quarterly tax filings for base period, paycheck stubs, invoices, etc.) substantiating their self-employment income
MEUC is payable beginning with weeks of unemployment no earlier than week ending, Jan. 2, 2021. The MEUC program expires on March 14, 2021. This means that the last payable week for MEUC is week ending, March 13, 2021. To apply, log in to a UI account. There is a section under My Account that says File for MEUC.
Cubbage also updated Kentuckians on 1099-G documents. Over 600,000 UI 1099-G documents were mailed out over the last few weeks.
“The KCC website homepage has been updated under ‘Attention: Important UI Messages’ with a document to assist with your 1099 questions,” said Cubbage. “If you have questions or suspect fraudulent activity on your account, you can also email kyou1099@ky.gov.”
Cubbage said Kentuckians can reference a new “What You Need to Know” graphic to learn more about how to keep receiving benefits, or begin receiving benefits for the first time, under the federal Continued Assistance Act.
Cubbage also reviewed the PUA back pay process and she reminded Kentuckians with UI Bank of America debit cards that funds must be spent off the cards no later than Feb. 28.
Memorial
“Today we honor another one of our own on Team Kentucky as we share the story of Jonathan Alexander, a team member of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Office of Information and Technology,” said Gov. Beshear. “He was only 43 – far too young to be taken from us. He passed away on Jan. 23 after complications from surgery and COVID-19.
“Jonathan was known by all for his kindness. He always went out of the way to help those in need, not only in his personal life but also through his work. An example of this is through his organizing of the ‘Big Tip Challenge’ – a fundraiser for restaurant workers whose jobs had been impacted by the COVID pandemic. He also organized the annual Salvation Army’s Angel Tree drive for OIT, making sure every Kentucky family had something under their tree at Christmas.
“Jonathan always said, ‘If you’re fortunate enough to be able to help somebody, do it. It’s an amazing experience.’ Jonathan’s passing is such a loss for Kentucky. I hope we can learn from his words and do the right thing for our people.
“Our prayers are with Jonathan’s mother, Brenda Whitaker, his brother, Jason, and many great friends and coworkers. We also are thinking of his beloved dogs who were family to him – Reesie, Roxie, Rylie Rosie and Rowdy.
“Let’s mask up in honor of Jonathan and light our homes green so that his family and friends know they are not alone and we are holding them close in prayer.”
Gov. Beshear Donates Nearly $16K from Inaugural Fund to Feeding Kentucky
Today, Gov. Beshear signed a proclamation declaring Jan. 28, 2021, as Hunger Free Day in Kentucky and made a surprise donation to the group Feeding Kentucky of nearly $16,000 left over from the Beshear-Coleman inaugural fund. During a virtual event Thursday morning, the Governor praised the advocates and workers on the front line helping to make sure Kentucky families stay fed, work made tougher by the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn more, see the full release.
Material Handling Systems Creating 200 Jobs with New Warren County Facility
Material Handling Systems Inc., a Kentucky-based manufacturer of conveyor and automated sortation equipment headquartered in Mt. Washington, plans to create 200 full-time jobs with a $7.6 million investment in a new Bowling Green facility. To learn more, see the full release.
More Information
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.
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