Weekly Health News Round Up 1.29.21

A recent survey conducted by the Foundation for Healthy Kentucky shows the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in increased use of vaping products by Kentucky middle and high schoolers. There are currently two bills in the Kentucky legislature to address vaping among youth. 

Thousands of Kentuckians are waiting for a COVID-19 vaccination, but Kentucky’s supply of vaccines is limited — even for those who are eligible. The state is in currently in Phase 1B, which is open to educators, non-medical first responders and anyone over the age of 70. 

Numerous health experts agreed that even though they’re still studying the transmission of COVID-19, “double masking” could offer additional protection against the virus. 

During a typical January, hospitals would be full of patients battling influenza. But this year with the raging coronavirus, the Louisville Metro has only seen a total of 17 flu cases this season, compared with 5,525 this time last year. 

While numbers of new coronavirus cases and percentage of Kentuckians testing positive for the virus is trending down, Gov. Beshear is urging Kentuckians to remain vigilant. The new virus variant — originally reported in the United Kingdom — was found in Kenton County.