Dozens of Kentucky cities will get new doses of the COVID vaccine as Kentucky expands its distribution channel to include six new regional sites, more than two dozen Walmart and Kroger locations, and 125 pharmacies. Governor Andy Beshear called the additions “a significant number of sites” and stated that Kentucky’s additional vaccination locations will ensure widespread distribution.
New regional locations will open next week in Columbia, Frankfort, Grayson, Henderson, Louisa and Morganfield. Kroger will vaccinate in ten additional stores, and Walmart will inoculate at 15 locations. You can learn about Kroger’s vaccine efforts at Kroger.com/covidvaccine. Walmart information is available at Walmart.com/covidvaccine.
In addition to the state’s vaccine deployment, 78 Walgreens and 47 independent pharmacies will receive 13,000 shots directly from the federal government. Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack noted that many Walgreens sites currently have available vaccination slots. You can learn about any vaccination location at vaccine.ky.gov or by calling the state’s vaccine hotline (855-598-2246).
Dr. Stack clarified that people receiving a vaccine will still need to wear a mask in public and practice other Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) public health guidelines. “It is not a get-out-of-jail-free pass,” he said. “You still have to do all the public health measures in order to keep everyone else safe until we get through this journey.”
People exposed to the virus may not need to quarantine for a few weeks after receiving a second shot. That exception only applies to the first 11 weeks after receiving the final vaccine, and Dr. Stack stressed that people still need to consult with their local health department before taking any steps following possible exposure.
Thursday’s report included 1,880 new cases, a 7.08% positivity rate and 36 deaths.
Eviction and Utility Relief Fund
Governor Andy Beshear announced another round of Kentucky’s Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund. Kentucky will use $264 million to help people pay past-due rent and utility bills. To qualify for the eviction fund, a person must live in Kentucky, meet income restrictions and provide documentation. Landlords must also agree to forgive late fees, penalties, interest and court fees. Both a tenant and landlord must apply at Teamkyhherf.ky.gov.
Utility bills covered by the fund include gas, electric, water, sewer and/or wastewater. Funds can cover both utility and rent payments for past-due amounts accrued since April 1, 2020, and three months of future payments. The state will directly pay the landlord and utility provider.
People can begin filing for the fund on February 15. The Healthy at Home Eviction Fund will not cover Louisville and Lexington because those cities have their own funds. People living in Lexington can apply at covid19renterhelp.org, and Louisville applications are available at stopmyeviction.org.
