COVID-19 Archives

Legislature funds health coverage for Kentuckians ineligible for Medicaid but unable to purchase private insurance

by Melissa Patrick
May 15, 2022

The Kentucky General Assembly, led by supermajorities Republicans, approved $4.5 million in state funds and $4.5 million in federal funds in the 2022-24 state budget to set up the program.

Few eligible families have applied for government help to pay for COVID funerals

by Blake Farmer
May 15, 2022

FEMA has a pool of cash set aside to reimburse burial costs — even retroactively — to the families of COVID victims.

A grim milestone in COVID-19 deaths

by Jennifer P. Brown
May 13, 2022

As the country approached 1 million COVID-19 deaths, health officials urged people to be aware that the virus is still present.

Sweeping, limited, or no powers at all? What’s at stake in the mask mandate appeal

by Julie Appleby
May 8, 2022

The Department of Justice’s appeal of a Florida judge’s decision could set the parameters for the CDC’s authority in the next outbreak, and public health experts fear the lower court’s decision effectively closes "off future actions for a disease like this one."

Beshear: Kentucky is ‘pretty safe’ from COVID-19

by Melissa Patrick
May 6, 2022

Beshear said he and his family will carry masks with them to the Derby and use them as needed, and that was his advice for others: use a mask if they feel uncomfortable.

Health department is administering 2nd COVID-19 booster shots

by Jennifer P. Brown
April 7, 2022

Boosters shots are administered on Thursdays. Appointments are not required.

Christian County confirms 5 COVID-19 cases in a week, 2 new deaths

by Hoptown Chronicle
April 4, 2022

In a deviation from the majority of previous deaths, both individuals were vaccinated.

House bill to expand individual vaccine rights fails to make it out of Senate committee

by Melissa Patrick
March 29, 2022

The Kentucky League of Cities opposed the bill, saying it violates the home-rule powers of local governments.

What is the new COVID-19 variant BA.2, and will it cause another wave of infections in the US?

by Mitzi Nagarkatti
March 22, 2022

BA.2, one of three main omicron sublineages, is sweeping the world.

Kentucky kept collecting UK medical debt after acknowledging due process violations

by Jared Bennett
March 19, 2022

UK HealthCare has powerful debt collection tools at its disposal thanks to its partnership with the Department of Revenue, which can garnish wages, levy bank accounts or intercept tax returns to get at money allegedly owed to the university — all without a court order.

COVID’s ‘silver lining’: Research breakthroughs for chronic disease, cancer, and the common flu

by Liz Szabo
March 17, 2022

Billions of dollars invested in mRNA vaccines and COVID research could yield health care dividends for decades to come.

Beshear vetoes bill to end state of emergency, reduce SNAP food benefit

by Test and Eric Umansky
March 17, 2022

If passed, the legislation would reduce the average monthly food assistance benefit by about $100 for 544,000 Kentuckians.