Kentucky Public Health Commissioner Steven Stack said some hospitals are implementing crisis-type levels of staffing and care changes. During Thursday’s Team Kentucky briefing, Stack said that could lead to a deterioration of care. He asked those being hospitalized for COVID, the vast majority unvaccinated, to be understanding.
“You will be going to exhausted healthcare providers who are understaffed in providing care for you for a disease that was preventable, largely because of the vaccinations. You need to be very patient with those folks,” said Stack.
Governor Beshear reported there were more patients in intensive care Wednesday than at any previous time in the pandemic. Likewise, the governor said the positivity rate for COVID is at a high mark.
Governor Beshear said the rate of vaccinations across the Commonwealth has stabilized, following a period of an uptick in shots being administered. The governor said he looks for more businesses to mandate vaccinations over time.
“When we have full FDA authorization that there are a slew of companies out there going to require it. I think we will see it in the private sector, looks like in the military, and in some other areas, at the very least, first,” said Beshear.
The governor announced plans to specifically recognize caregivers across the state next week. He asked Kentuckians to honor those who work in hospitals and doctor offices with special attention.
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