On Tuesday, Public Health and Wellness Director Dr. Sarah Moyer said Louisville’s COVID-19 cases are in a phase of rapid growth.

In the last week, Jefferson County eclipsed 3,000 weekly COVID cases continuing a trend of rapid spread in the community.

Since early October, cases have increased 250 percent from 25 cases per 100,000 to 62.9 today. In that same time frame, hospitalizations are up 512 percent from 66 to 338.

“If there were a color beyond red on the scale, that’s where we would be right now. There is uncontrolled spread of the virus despite the measures we have in place," Moyer said.

The numbers are cause for significant concern and Mayor Greg Fischer said it will require a serious response from everyone in our community to limit mobility and follow Gov. Andy Beshear’s Red Zone recommendations with the winter months approaching.

“These steps are more important than ever because the risk is greater. We’re in a crisis right now with this pandemic,” the Mayor said. “Remember, the virus doesn’t care about our holidays and traditions, it only wants to infect us and as many people as possible.”

Key data metrics for the week of November 17, 2020:

• There were 3,377 new cases over the previous week.
• Louisville’s rolling two-week average positivity rate is at 6 percent.
• Hospitalization data:
  • 18.9% of patients currently hospitalized have COVID-19.
  • 75 patients in ICU with COVID-19 as of November 17, an increase from 6.6 the week prior.
  • 45 COVID-19 patients on ventilators as of November 17, compared to 40 last week.
• COVID-19 cases remain in every Louisville ZIP code, with nearly all at the red alert level.
• Largest increase in cases are in those ages 15-34.
• Given the high level of community spread, any interaction with members outside the household leaves individuals at greater risk of bringing an infection home. Once one person is infected in a household, it is likely to spread to other members. 

COVID’s impact on healthcare systems

Citing the profound impact of COVID-19 on healthcare systems in Louisville, Dr. Moyer noted that increased case numbers can further stress a hospital’s ability to treat patients with other medical issues.

“Capacity is stretched thin across all aspects of healthcare, which limits our abilities to protect and aid people. People haven’t stopped having heart attacks and strokes just because there is a pandemic happening, and we need to have space to care for them, too.”

Chief Medical Officers from three of Louisville’s largest hospital systems, Norton Healthcare, Baptist Health and University of Louisville Healthcare, agreed, citing potential overburden of healthcare system staff due to the current trajectory of infections. 

Another concern of the medical community is the presence of prolonged post-COVID symptoms in patients under the age of 50 such as inability to smell, brain fog, and in some cases hair loss. 

Testing in Jefferson County in high demand

As COVID cases steadily increase in Louisville so does the demand for testing. The city is constantly evaluating where COVID spread is happening and ensuring appropriate sites are set up for testing and timely delivery of results.

Nearly 70,000 tests are being conducted for every two-week period. Although Louisville has a robust testing infrastructure, high demand is resulting in longer wait times and areas in need of more testing. The city will consider extending hours at current test sites, adding weekend hours, and more partnerships with community groups to bring testing to communities that need it most. 

Citing dangers posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Louisville Metro Government has announced adjusted plans for the city’s annual Light Up Louisville kickoff to the holidays.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, “large in-person gatherings where it is difficult for individuals to remain spaced at least six feet apart and attendees travel from outside the local area” pose the highest COVID-19 risk to attendees and staff. And with Louisville maintaining a red alert status for COVID-19, the traditional gathering in downtown Louisville is not appropriate, city leaders said.

“In a normal year, bringing thousands of people to celebrate this annual kickoff of the holiday season is a wonderful thing,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “But this is not a normal year, and at a time when we see the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths rising steadily, our usual celebration is simply not safe. I am pleased, though, to announce alternative plans that spread the festivities around our community.”

Here are the details of Light Up Louisville 2020, which will again be powered by longtime sponsor LG&E, along with 106.9 Play, AT&T and other sponsors:

• Holiday lights will go up at Metro Hall and City Hall, and a brightly lit Christmas tree will be set up on the grounds of Metro Hall. The light display will include a rainbow of colors to celebrate Christmas, Kwanza, and Hanukah, reflecting the diversity of the community. The Mayor is also encouraging residents and businesses to put up their own rainbow of colors at their homes and workplaces. 

Winter Woods Spectacular

From the producers of the popular Jack O’Lantern Spectacular, Winter Woods Spectacular will debut in Iroquois Park from Nov. 27 to Jan. 2. Winter Woods is a half mile drive of lighting and artistry that will explore and celebrate the holiday season. Proceeds will benefit the Louisville Parks Foundation. 
Visit https://www.winterwoodsspectacular.org/ for more information.

Fête de Noël

Paristown’s Fête de Noël is back this year, featuring Louisville’s only authentic outdoor ice-skating rink. Residents are invited to skate, shop, eat and drink in the heart of Paristown and enjoy holiday movie nights, karaoke, silent disco on ice, Stoneware & Co. ornament decorating, and much more. Fête de Noël is open Nov. 25 to Jan. 3. For more information, visit www.paristown.com/fetedenoel

Lights Under Louisville

Each year, the Louisville Mega Cavern is transformed into an underground holiday light spectacular for the Christmas season. Enjoy a 30-minute ride through 17 miles of underground passageways. Featuring more than 850 lit characters with over 3 million points of light. Lights Under Louisville is open Nov. 13 to Jan. 3. For more information, visit www.lightsunderlouisville.com

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) launched a planning study in fall 2019 to identify improvements to reduce congestion and improve safety at the I-65/I-264 (Watterson Expressway) interchange.

Goals of the project are to increase safety for all users, manage and reduce roadway congestion, ensure timely and efficient movement of freight, and reduce and/or mitigate negative environmental impacts.

Following a competitive process, community feedback, and a committee-based evaluation, Louisville Metro Government will enter negotiations toward a development agreement with Louisville-based Underhill Associates.

The redevelopment response from Underhill Associates proposes affordable, senior and student housing, offices, a fitness facility, daycare, local grocery store, farmer’s market pavilion, restaurant and retail space, and a community garden and edible orchard.

In the image above, the local grocery store is shown in a rendering from the Underhill Associates' proposal. 

Underhill Associates was one of two development teams that responded to a Request for Proposals (RFP) Louisville Metro issued in June seeking someone to redevelop the nearly ten-acre site. A five-person selection committee, made up of Louisville Metro employees, reviewed the two proposals and community feedback, conducted interview sessions with the development teams, and scored both.

With a score of 84.5 out of 110, Underhill Associates’ proposal emerged as the highest scoring response to the RFP. The committee noted that it is more reflective of community input and addresses potential gentrification and displacement. Throughout the community feedback process, residents have consistently expressed a desire for a mixed-use development at the site.

The committee noted that the Underhill Associates response requests a significant financial investment, $12 million, from Louisville Metro Government to complete the redevelopment. As part of the negotiations, Louisville Metro will work with Underhill Associates to identify potential ways to close the funding gap. If Louisville Metro and Underhill Associates are unable to negotiate a development agreement, the city reserves the right to negotiate an agreement with the runner-up or issue a new RFP.

Negotiations are expected to continue into early 2021.

For more information about the Urban Government Center and to view Underhill Associate’s proposal, please visit www.louisvilleky.gov/urbangovernmentcenter.

From MSD: Help shape the future for Middle Fork Beargrass Creek. 

We need your input for how you live, work and play within the Middle Fork Beargrass Creek watershed.

Please take a few minutes to complete this survey and help support the development of this plan.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BDLDGLT

Residents who normally receive city yard waste collection on Thursdays or Fridays will temporarily receive collection on Saturdays until January 16. This change is due to COVID-19 constraints on waste collection staff and operations.

Garbage and recycling routes and Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday yard waste routes are not affected. Any missed routes will receive service on Saturday. 

Yard waste winter schedule starts January 16 and until April 5, all yard waste will be collected on the household's regular collection day by Metro311 request only.

Mowing over leaves to mulch them back into your lawn is a great option for reducing waste. Mulching not only returns vital nutrients to the soil, but experts say that it can help your grass grow even better the following year!

Of course, residents with yard waste collection can also set them out in containers or paper bags. And all Louisville Metro residents have the option to dispose of them for free at one of three drop-off sites.

Metro Public Works is offering the free leaf drop-off service through December 12. Drop-off will not be available on November 26 and 27 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Only loose leaves will be accepted. Containers used to bring leaves to the drop-off sites must be disposed of off-site by residents.

Leaf drop off sites:

• Public Works Yard, 10500 Lower River Road (enter from Bethany Lane), Tuesday – Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
•  Public Works East District Operations Center, 595 North Hubbards Lane, Tuesday – Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Waste Reduction Center, 636 Meriwether Avenue, Tuesday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Cat of the Week: Reese

Reese has spent 100 days in the shelter! The six-year-old black beauty has watched kitten after kitten get adopted, and she’s patiently waiting for someone to give a mature kitty like her a forever home. Reese is a friendly cat who was obviously well-cared for by her previous owner, who could not be located. She weighs 14 pounds. So, while Reese waits for a forever home, she’s working on her figure to become her best self. Reese’s adoption fee is waived for an approved adopter, thanks to the Pay It Forward Program. Reese is already spayed, microchipped and vaccinated. To meet Reese, visit Animal House Adoption Center, 3516 Newburg Road, is open daily from noon to 6 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome. For more info about Reese, call 473-PETS.

Dog of the Week: Mack

Mack’s got all the makings of the best dog, ever! The one-year-old is well-behaved, house broken, crate trained, dog friendly, and doesn’t mind sharing. Mack also has a great personality, he’s happy-go-lucky, friendly, and very sweet. An approved adopter can adopt Mack for free, thanks to the Pay It Forward program. Neuter surgery, microchip and vaccinations are included. Mack weighs 82 pounds. Mack does well with other large breed dogs; testing is available by request. For families with children, a meet and greet is mandatory. No appointment is necessary to meet Mack. Visit Animal House Adoption Center, 3516 Newburg Road, now open from noon to 6 p.m daily.

From Jefferson County Public Schools' Tuesday public forum on the student assignment proposal:

We have spent months collecting feedback from our community, having honest conversations about what the current assignment system does and does not do for our students, and doing soul searching on what it will take to make this school district one of the best in the country.

At its core, this proposal is about student equity, student engagement, and student outcomes. This proposal would expand our ability to engage students in learning by reaching them where their interests are through expansion of magnet programs. Further, this proposal is serious about funding all schools adequately, with specific focus on traditionally under resourced schools in west Louisville.

You’ll hear the public ask us tough questions in this video as well. We believe that we can only progress into a bold new future by facing the challenges head on, and making sincere and devoted strides toward improving the outcomes.

You can view the forum here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fl6NHhl6VHs

Mayor Fischer was joined by members of the Metro Snow Team and partners from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Louisville Fire and the National Weather Service on Wednesday to outline preparations for the upcoming 2020-21 snow season. He also thanked the Metro Snow Team: “It takes a special kind of team to go out and handle significant winter weather, and I along with everyone in our city are truly thankful for their tireless commitment and service.” Learn more.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is here to help people who need assistance with utility bills. Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services is accepting applications for the annual Subsidy Component of LIHEAP now through December 11, or until funds are depleted.

The Subsidy Component is designed to help low-income residents offset home heating costs based on a household’s income and primary fuel type, providing a one-time payment to the utility vendor. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, income eligibility has been increased to 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. 

Appointments are also being accepted for the new Healthy at Home Utility Assistance Fund designed to assist people in danger of losing their natural gas, water, wastewater, or electricity. Households who have an income up to 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Line and have been economically impacted due to COVID-19 can apply. Households can receive assistance for the minimum needed to alleviate the water and wastewater crisis up to $500. Households can reapply until they reach the maximum benefit. 

Jefferson County residents meeting eligibility can call the automated scheduler at 502-991-8391 or visit online at louisvilleky.cascheduler.com. More information is here.

Jefferson County Public Schools’ (JCPS) meal sites will undergo several scheduling changes in November in observance of holidays:

• The evening pick-up time is 3 to 5 p.m. at the sites currently offering evening meal distribution:
• Butler Traditional High School
• Carrithers Middle School
• Eastern High School
• Greathouse Shryock Traditional Elementary School
• Male High School
• Seneca High School
• Valley High School
• Westport Middle School
• Roosevelt-Perry Elementary School
• Farnsley Elementary School no longer offers evening meals.

On Tuesday, Nov. 24, families will receive five of each meal for every child to cover them for the holiday break.

Since Sept. 1, the 130 meal sites at schools across the district have served an average of 16,800 children each Tuesday and Thursday. The number of children served has steadily increased each week. 

Click here for a list of schools distributing meals from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday.

Short term rental enforcement continues in large part to be complaint-driven, based on public reporting of alleged violations to administrators.

A new interactive map tool contains all of the registered short term rentals in Louisville having an active permit to rent their property out to paying customers on STR websites like Airbnb.

If you believe someone is using a property as a short term rental but it does not show up on this registry, or if the registry indicates a non-owner occupied property does not have a CUP, then please report the issue here (select “Zoning and Business Concerns,” “Zoning Concern,” “Short Term Rental,” complete the form and submit). Or contact our office. 

The Louisville Metro Police Department uses a Crime Mapping website to display crime on a map in Jefferson County. Zoom in to see crimes in an area, or put an address in the address bar at top left to search. You may sign up for auto email alerts for crime around an address. Reports are made available to the public after a process of internal review, often in the same day as the report taken. Due to the nature of some crimes, reports are made available to public upon the completion of a thorough investigation and will be made available as soon as practical.

Or use the crime mapping iPhone app. If you see crime occurring, please contact the Louisville Metro Police Department. Call 911 for emergencies. Call 502-574-7111 for non-emergency related help or to find a towed vehicle. Call 574-LMPD to report crime tips.

These LMPD divisions serve sections of District 10:

• Link to LMPD Fourth Division 
• Link to LMPD Fifth Division
• Link to LMPD Sixth Division

LMPD working in District 10 have asked us to share this reminder: please call the LMPD non-emergency number, instead of sending an email, if you're seeing suspicious activity in your neighborhood. Sending emails to LMPD delays response, and officers need to be dispatched for the activity. These citations continue the nuisance abatement process. The LMPD non-emergency line is 574-7111 or 574-2111.

From the Lawn Care for Cleaner Air program for the Air Pollution Control District: Take advantage of the Lawn Care for Cleaner Air program and save up to $100 on a new, air-friendly, electric-powered mower. You can get rebates on electric string trimmers, electric blowers, and reel mowers, too. Now is a great time to recycle that old, polluting equipment and save some cash on new gear that will make breathing a little easier for you and your community. Please see our website, louisvilleky.gov/lawncare, or call 574-6000 with questions.

Get directly involved in making Louisville a more litter-free community through the Report-A-Litterer program aimed at motorists who throw fast-food wrappers, cigarette butts, soda bottles or any type of litter out their car window. Click here to report.

What's the difference between a Recycling Bin and Recycling Cart?

The District 10 Discount Cart Program only includes Recycling Carts in 65- or 95-gallon size. Please call 574-1110 or email us for the form. This offer is available to urban service district residents.

Households with city waste services receive one garbage cart (all black) and one 18-gallon orange recycling bin for free. If you have just moved into a residence and either of these are missing, contact Metro311 online or call 311 or 574-5000 to make a request. 

Receive notifications about garbage, recycling, bulk waste, and yard waste collection services through the RecycleCoach app. 

The app also has a “what goes where” feature to allow a person to input a certain item to get information on disposal or recycling. Download from the App Store or Google Play.

If you wish to make a Metro311 request, please make a report online or use the mobile app. You'll receive a service request number that will help the District 10 office assist you.

You can report online here, or download the free mobile 311 app from your app store. Or tweet @LouMetro311 or call 574-5000. 

You can now look to see if an issue you want to report has already been reported. And you'll get notification of your issue along the way. Visit Metro311 to learn more: 

Louisville Metro Government's Metro Business Portal, where you apply for permits, licensing and applications with Louisville Metro, is here. 

Eligibility criteria:

•    Must be owner occupied for at least one year.
•    Not available on rental property.
•    Must meet income guidelines (See intake staff) 
•    May receive assistance once in a five year period.
•    Louisville-Jefferson County only

Types of repairs:

• Furnace repair or replacement (October-April only)
• A/C unit- repair or replacement (Requires medical statement, available May-Sept. only)
• Electrical repairs/upgrades
• Water line repairs/replacement
• Sewer line repairs/replacement
• Water heater repair/replacement, gas line leaks

For further information contact Jackie Wilson-Rudy at 574-5850.

Interested in volunteering for one of Louisville Metro Government's Boards and Commissions? Serving on a board or commission, you will have a chance to improve the quality of life in our community.

There are approximately 100 boards and commissions with many areas of interest, including business and economic development, land planning, parks and recreation, public health and public safety.

To learn more about board applications, please click here.