Kentucky’s first regional vaccination site will open next Tuesday in central Kentucky. Governor Beshear announced during his coronavirus briefing Thursday shots will be administered at the Kentucky Horse Park in the Alltech Arena.
Beshear was asked why that site was chosen as the first regional location. “It’s one that we could stand up. It’s on state property. It has a number of good advantages, being right off the interstate, having the internal roads, having a very large facility. To do our tests, to work out all the kinks, this is a really good location for us to be working on,” said Beshear.
The application process went live Thursday afternoon. The governor said this regional vaccination site and others opening up are currently focusing on those 70 and older. At this point, it’s not clear if those vaccinated can still transmit the virus . Beshear said fully vaccinated Kentuckians will still be asked to wear masks. “I think certainly wearing a mask is likely into the summer and we’ll see where we are on vaccinations from then. Wearing a mask is what we’re going to be doing until either we have definitive data that you can’t spread it or we reach immunity,” explained Beshear.
Beshear announced a record number of COVID-19 related deaths with 69. While loss of life was by far the largest for a daily report, the governor says the trend for case numbers and hospitalizations is positive.
Beshear and Public Health Commissioner Steven Stack continue to stress patience for those waiting for vaccinations. Beshear said there continue to be supply issues and the demand he said is, quote, “through the roof in every single age group.” Three other regional sites are opening through partners; one in Danville and two in Paducah.?
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