Paducah hospitals release joint statement concerning COVID-19 as Kentucky positivity rate hits nearly 13%

Baptist Health Paducah and Mercy Health-Lourdes Hospital released a statement today regarding COVID-19 protocols. Both hospitals are urging the public to wear masks in public places, wash their hands frequently, and avoid large gatherings. 

Dr. Brad Housman, Baptist Health Paducah's chief medical officers writes the following, "Baptist Health Paducah is reaching a significant stage in its fight against COVID-19. Testing, numbers of people diagnosed with COVID-19, and hospitalizations are at all-time highs. Now, more than ever, we need the public's help with masking, distancing, and most importantly, getting vaccinated. Bed capacity, in particular our ICU bed capacity, has almost reached its limit. Hospitals across the state and nation are strained, but we are diligently working every day to be able to provide care to our community. Please support our doctors, nurses, and the entire medical community, in the coming weeks." 

Chief Clinical Officer for Mercy Health Dr. Jenny Franke, writes, "Today, we are at a near all-time high for COVID-19 inpatients, with 41 positive patients in the hospital. Our previous high for COVID-19 patients was 43. We are rapidly approaching critical care capacity and we need our community's help to stop the spread so we can continue caring for all the patients who come to us." 

Incidence rate for Kentucky on Friday, August 20, 2021 is 68.95 average daily cases per 100,000 people. Western Kentucky counties in the orange are Hickman, Fulton, and Clinton. All other western Kentucky counties are in the red marking high transmission rates. 

Kentucky's COVID-19 positivity rate is nearly 13% with 3,869 cases. Currently, 1,780 patients are hospitalized in Kentucky with 487 in intensive care and 255 on ventilators. 

Fifty-five percent of the states total population has been vaccinated. Several counties within western Kentucky have less than 40% of its eligible population vaccinated.

As local hospitals plea with the community to follow protocols, rising COVID-19 cases continue across the U.S. The state of Alabama no longer has ICU availability. Other southern states are nearing capacity. Vaccinations are available at the local health departments, pharmacies, hospitals, and other places of business.