SALYERSVILLE – The spread of COVID-19 appears to be slowing locally, with 39 new cases reported in Magoffin since last press day, while officials urge everyone to remain vigilant during the holidays.
To date, 712 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Magoffin County (39 up from last press day, compared to 70 the previous week), with 60 of the cases still active (in isolation), 646 recovered, 7 hospitalized and seven deaths (one newly reported this week).
While Magoffin County remains in the red classification, along with all but four Kentucky counties, Magoffin County Public Health Director and Salyersville Mayor James “Pete” Shepherd urged the community to abide by the state health officials’ recommendations, asking people to avoid large gatherings, even though we are now in the holiday season.
Shepherd attributed the lower number of new cases to the fact there have been no large gatherings in the community.
While the first round of vaccines have been delivered to 11 key hospitals throughout the state, with Pikeville Medical Center currently working to vaccinate their frontline workers, the nursing home residents and staff will be included in the next round, expected to begin this week.
Walgreens will be administering the vaccines, which will require two separate doses (second one in three to four weeks).
He explained the first doses will be distributed to nursing homes and frontline workers at hospitals, and then first responders. Vaccines will be distributed by priority to the general public in the following months after the first shipments.
Following state guidance, Magoffin County Schools have announced that they will remain closed to in-person classes until January 4. As this date approaches, the district will announce any plans for return to in-person classes.
Governor Andy Beshear continues to urge people to remain vigilant, avoiding large crowds, wearing masks and testing, as the first round of vaccines are distributed, noting that we are nearing the end of the pandemic, though the virus still remains deadly.
