(LEX 18) — We’re not even two full weeks into the new school year, and at least one Kentucky district sent kids home for the week.
“We’re seeing an increase in COVID-19 throughout the seven counties,” said Scott Lockard, the Public Health Director for the Kentucky River District. “In Lee County, the attendance is at that level where they felt they needed to make the call to dismiss classes the rest of the week,” he continued.
Lee County gave its students a couple of NTI days (Tuesday and Wednesday) and will close altogether on Thursday and Friday of this week in hopes of curbing some of the spread.
We’re still weeks, if not months, away from the cold and flu season. The new COVID vaccine won’t be available for several more weeks.
“Between the flu, RSV, and COVID, this could be a very serious fall and winter,” said Kevin Hall from the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department.
Mr. Hall wasn’t ready to sound the alarms just yet, and he did say it would be a good idea to wait on the new COVID vaccine so you get the best possible protection. As both Hall and Lockard noted, the vaccines won’t prevent you from getting anything, but they can limit spread while reducing the severity of your symptoms and the length of time you’d be feeling under the weather and potentially forced to isolate. Lockard said it’s not just COVID in Lee County at this point.
“We’re seeing people testing negative for COVID but having other respiratory illnesses,’ he said.
Both men also noted that good hygiene would go a long way both before and after being vaccinated. Hand washing is the most important thing you can do for yourself and those around you. So is staying home from work or school when you’re not feeling well.
“Going to work when sick used to be a badge of courage, but not anymore. Think about your co-workers,” Mr. Lockard said.
