City Of Louisville: COVID-19 Cases Continue To Reach Record Highs In Louisville As Omicron Variant Spreads Rapidly

Louisville KY

05 January, 2022

5:22 PM

Description

Press release from the City of Louisville: January 04, 2022 Call the LOU HEALTH helpline 502-912-8598. Give now to the relief fund. Mayor Greg Fischer joined Dr. Sarah Moyer, director of the Louisville Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW), and Dr. Monalisa Tailor, internal medicine physician for Norton Healthcare Community Medical Associates, to urge community members to take precautions as the omicron variant spreads at an alarmingly rapid rate. Mayor Greg Fischer joined Dr. Sarah Moyer, director of the Louisville Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW), and Dr. Monalisa Tailor, internal medicine physician for Norton Healthcare Community Medical Associates, to urge community members to take precautions as the omicron variant spreads at an alarmingly rapid rate. "Put this in perspective. Just over a year ago, we were deeply troubled when we reported over 4,000 cases of the virus in a week. Well, today we are looking at 10,000 cases of the virus in a week," the Mayor said. "Put this in perspective. Just over a year ago, we were deeply troubled when we reported over 4,000 cases of the virus in a week. Well, today we are looking at 10,000 cases of the virus in a week," the Mayor said. Mayor Fischer stressed that even though early science may show the omicron variant generally causes less severe illness than other versions of COVID-19, it is too early to know the long-term impacts it could have on individuals. Mayor Fischer stressed that even though early science may show the omicron variant generally causes less severe illness than other versions of COVID-19, it is too early to know the long-term impacts it could have on individuals. "I don't want people to diminish the dangers that come with the omicron virus because we are still filling up our hospitals. People are significantly ill," he said. "This is a pandemic amongst the unvaccinated and the best way to protect yourself obviously is to get vaccinated and/or get the booster." "I don't want people to diminish the dangers that come with the omicron virus because we are still filling up our hospitals. People are significantly ill," he said. "This is a pandemic amongst the unvaccinated and the best way to protect yourself obviously is to get vaccinated and/or get the booster." Here are the key COVID-19 data metrics for Jan. 04, 2022: Here are the key COVID-19 data metrics for Jan. 04, 2022: Hospitalization data: Hospitalization data: Vaccines Vaccines Challenges hospitals and doctors are facing Challenges hospitals and doctors are facing Dr. Moyer said she expects to see more people to be hospitalized with COVID-19 as the case count continues to rise. Dr. Moyer said she expects to see more people to be hospitalized with COVID-19 as the case count continues to rise. "While we are seeing breakthrough cases, a majority of our hospitalizations and ICU cases are in the unvaccinated," Dr. Moyer said. "Especially with the kid cases. Norton Children's yesterday had 16 kids that are hospitalized with COVID. All of them are unvaccinated. A majority of them are in their teenage years." She urged adults and children who are eligible to get vaccinated to help protect themselves and those most at risk of severe illness. Dr. Tailor has been seeing COVID-19 patients and said the clinic she works in has been very busy, especially coming off the holidays. "For my patients that are vaccinated, but may have waited on a booster, a lot of them are suffering from some runny nose, sore throat, headache and a lot of tiredness. Those are kind of the main symptoms we've been seeing. There has also been a cough," she said. "For folks that may have not been vaccinated, a lot more of those folks are suffering from shortness of breath, worsening of that cough. More significant issues with their breathing." Dr. Tailor added that wait times for monoclonal antibodies have been long because there are so many people who are infected with COVID-19. "Against the omicron variant, we only have one antibody that does seem to be more helpful against this particular version of the virus. So that's further limited our supply," Dr. Tailor said. On top of COVID-19, Dr. Tailor said she is also seeing patients for other illnesses like the flu.  "I can tell you if you do get sick with the flu, or with COVID, our clinic appointments are very full," Dr. Tailor said. "Our immediate care centers have a very long wait at the moment, and if you have to go to the hospital, you may be waiting for quite some time because there are so many people who are getting sick." New guidelines Kentucky state leaders have released new guidance when it comes to being exposed or testing positive for COVID-19. According to the new guidelines: Safety measures Dr. Moyer encourages the following measures to reduce the risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 and to help lower the impact of another expected surge on the health care system. If you test positive for COVID-19, Dr. Moyer strongly recommends to: View this week's COVID-19 briefing with public health officials here. # # #   The city's COVID-19 data dashboard, a complete list of COVID-19 testing sites, vaccine information, prevention and more can be found at www.louisville.gov/covid19. The LOU HEALTH COVID19 Helpline is also available: 502-912-8598.             Enter required fields How do you want to be reminded? (Street Sweeping requires at least an email) Reminders are sent on the Sunday before and the Friday of your Junk Set Out date. * is required. By subscribing to this reminder service you agree to the Terms of Use. To unsubscribe go to Gov Delivery. Enter your address and MyLouisville will find nearby city services in the following categories: Find your garbage, recycling, yard waste and large-item set-out dates. Sign up for large-item set out and street sweeping reminders by email and text! No form has been selected. Popular Pages Popular Tools This press release was produced by the City of Louisville. The views expressed here are the author's own.