 Friday, September 2, 2022
Public Health News & Alerts
Louisville observes International Overdose Awareness Day
Louisville Metro Department of Public Health’s Interim Director Dr. Jeff Howard and other community leaders recently observed International Overdose Awareness Day and announced expanded harm reduction efforts in the city.
According to the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy’s 2021 Overdose Fatality Report, there were 2,250 deaths in the state last year. That is a 14.5% increase from 2020.
The report shows an opioid was involved in 90% of all overdose deaths in Kentucky in 2021 and fentanyl was detected in 70% of those cases. In Jefferson County alone, the report shows there were 477 drug overdose deaths involving fentanyl in 2021 and 250 overdose deaths involving methamphetamine. So far in 2022, there have been more than 300 overdose deaths in Jefferson County and 250 of those have involved fentanyl, according to data from the coroner’s office.
Narcan nasal spray helps to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Most opioid overdoses occur in the home and are most often witnessed. Having a Narcan rescue kit nearby can make all the difference.
If you would like a free kit so you can be equipped to save someone’s life, please email loumetrohealth@louisvilleky.gov
Click here to learn more about the expansion of outreach services and other efforts to reduce overdose deaths.
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 Do you qualify for the monkeypox vaccine?
Vaccination helps to protect against monkeypox when given before or shortly after an exposure. Individuals should consider getting vaccinated if they meet any of the following criteria:
- Close contact to someone with a known or suspected monkeypox virus (direct skin-to-skin contact or other close contact).
- Diagnosis of HIV.
- Diagnosis of chlamydia, gonorrhea or early syphilis, within the prior 12 months.
- Receiving medication to prevent HIV infection (PrEP) Exchanging sex for money or nonmonetary items.
- Attending an event/venue where there was a high risk of exposure to an individual(s) with monkeypox virus through skin-to-skin or sexual contact.
- Gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men or transgender people who are sexually active.
- Laboratory workers who routinely perform monkeypox or orthopox virus testing.
- Healthcare professionals who have had high-risk occupational exposure without using recommended personal protective equipment in the past 14 days.
- Individuals who, on a case-by-case basis, are determined to be at high risk of contracting monkeypox. Talk with your healthcare provider.
If you think you might be eligible to receive a monkeypox vaccine, please reach out to these Monkeypox Vaccination Locations to schedule an appointment.
COVID-19 cases continue to keep Louisville at the red-alert level
 Louisville COVID-19 case counts remain at the red-alert level. If you are at high risk for severe illness, talk to your doctor about taking additional precautions. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provides guidance to help the public better protect themselves and understand their risk, including isolation and precautions for people with COVID-19.
Here are the key COVID-19 data metrics for this week:
- Daily average incidence rate of 45.2 cases per 100,000 population
- Weekly incidence rate of 383.3 cases per 100,000 population
- 2,429 new cases reported over the previous week
- 23 newly reported deaths
- 10.7% new hospital admissions of confirmed COVID-19 in the last seven days
- 4.1% staffed inpatient beds in use by patients with confirmed COVID-19
- 4.3% staffed ICU beds are in use by patients with confirmed COVID-19
- 47.9% of those fully vaccinated have received a booster dose
Need help finding a COVID test or vaccination location? Have you tested positive for COVID, but aren't sure what to do? Call the LOU Health COVID-19 Helpline, 502-912-8598, available Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Language translation services are available.
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