 Friday, October 15, 2021
Top COVID-19 Takeaways from the Week
Residents can order free COVID test kits online while supplies last
Residents of some Louisville areas can now order FREE, rapid, at-home COVID-19 testing kits while supplies last. It’s part of a program called Say Yes! COVID Test offered in partnership with the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness, the CDC, and the National Institutes of Health. You conduct the tests yourself at home with quick swipes inside the nose, and results display privately in just 10 minutes. Residents age 2 and over, whether they are vaccinated or not, can receive a pack of 8 tests to use twice a week until they run out.
Frequent testing, combined with vaccination, wearing a mask, hand washing, and physical distancing, can help to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community.
To learn more and order your free tests, visit covidhometestlouisville.org
COVID appears to be in 'a gentle downward trend'
 While our community remains in the red alert level with a daily incidence rate of 49 cases per 100,000, “we appear to be in a gentle downward trend,” said Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness Associate Medical Director Dr. SaraBeth Hartlage.
She emphasized that those at highest risk for severe illness from the highly infectious Delta variant, and 90% of those hospitalized due to COVID, are unvaccinated. She also reported that the highest number of reported COVID cases is in individuals ages 20 to 44.
Here are the key COVID-19 data metrics for October 12, 2021:
- Louisville remains in the red alert level with a daily incidence rate of 49 cases per 100,000.
- There were 2,633 new cases over the previous week.
- There were 15 additional deaths over the previous week in individuals ages 39 to 89.
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Individuals 20 -44 are continuing to experience the highest number of cases followed by those who are 0 to 19. The lowest vaccination rates are also in individuals ages 20 to 44.
- Hospitalization data:
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125 patients currently hospitalized have COVID-19.
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33 patients in ICU with COVID-19.
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26 COVID-19 patients on ventilators.
Vaccines
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64.5% of Louisville residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
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56.5% have completed the vaccine series.
To view this week's COVID briefing with public health officials CLICK HERE. For COVID-19 testing sites CLICK HERE.
Now is the time to schedule your flu vaccine
The 2021-2022 flu season is upon us, and it’s time to proactively keep its effects to a minimum and at the same time investing team efforts to combat COVID-19.
There are many similarities between influenza (flu) and COVID-19. Both are contagious respiratory illnesses that can lead to severe illness for many. And the good news is there are safe, effective vaccines for both.
Flu vaccines are available through your healthcare provider or pharmacies located across the community.
Click here for more information.
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