(WKYT) – COVID-19 is still an issue, and health leaders in Kentucky say they are seeing a big increase in cases.
Case numbers are running ahead of what health leaders say they saw this time last year. They are encouraging people to get a new vaccine when they are available.
“There’s a return to school. Students are back in the classroom in close proximity to one another. That’s one of the reasons for the increase this month,” said Jeff Neagle with the Lake Cumberland District Health Department.
A new variant is causing people to have fevers, shortness of breath, coughing, and other symptoms. A new vaccine should arrive in about three weeks.
“Not necessarily going to keep you from getting Covid, going to help it be less impactful on you,” Neagle said.
Neagle says no COVID-19 vaccines are being given out right now because they have been told to wait for the new one that addresses the new variant.
The new vaccine is arriving as health leaders say hospitals across the state are seeing more admissions.
“Hospitalizations are sitting at 880 for the month of August, emergency room visits, 4,000 for the month of August,” said Neagle of statewide numbers.
Doctors at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital also report a marked increase over the past two to three weeks.