Health

COVID-19 hospitalizations at Jennie Stuart Medical Center have declined from a recent peak, but newly released federal data show the hospital has been under what health care experts consider "extreme stress."

Tara Felice Mahone, a court designated worker in Christian County, was the youngest child of City Councilwoman Patricia Waddell-Bell.

Testing, by appointment, is available at the health department.

Health care workers who were among the first in the county to receive the COVID-19 vaccine started getting their second doses this week.

From Jan. 8 to 14, the percentage of occupied ICU beds at Jennie Stuart was higher than any other time for which data is available.

What does it mean for the public if COVID-19 vaccine makers aren't able to replenish the supply to make sure that second doses are delivered on time?

Beshear said information about specific vaccination sites and sign-up procedures will come at the end of January.

Rural areas can expect January and February to be difficult months for the pandemic.

During the most recent reporting week, Jennie Stuart's COVID-19 occupancy in the ICU and across the entire hospital reached dangerously high levels.

The Hopkinsville clinic is one of 33 regional sites in Kentucky. It will administer the Moderna vaccine.

About a third of rural residents are reluctant get to vaccinated, while about a quarter of metropolitan residents are.

A recent fast spread of the coronavirus raises fear that the U.S. has developed a more contagious strain.