The pandemic was later in getting to rural areas, but when it did, it found a vulnerable population that was sicker, older and has less access to health care, several reports have noted.
Cabinet for Health and Family Services Inspector General Adam Mather encouraged potential visitors to get vaccinated, and said those who haven't been will be required to have a negative test within 72 hours of the visit.
The phase includes anyone 60 and older, anyone age 16 or older with the highest-risk conditions per guidance from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, and all essential workers.
More than 2.5 million people in Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia have been vaccinated with at least one dose of the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines. Little by little, states have received more vaccine doses, but the national supply remains low.
The health department, which operates a regional vaccine distribution site at the James E. Bruce Convention Center, is not yet accepting appointment requests for individuals who fall within other categories of Phase 1C.
