So far the numbers are nowhere near what Lexington saw in January and February, but the variables are there for another spike – fast-spreading subvariants, a public that’s largely let down its guard with the end of mask mandates, and waning immunity in some who haven’t finished their vaccine series or been recently boosted.
"COVID is still here and we have to work together to slow this down."Kevin Hall, Fayette County Health Department
In just the last three weeks, Lexington has gone from a rolling 7-day average of 107 cases a day to 195. And Hall says the reliance on home tests probably means there are "likely much higher case counts than what's being reported."
In that environment, Hall says it makes sense to return to or keep up the precautions that we’ve all become familiar with — wearing a mask when going out or visiting others, maintaining six feet of distance if possible, frequent hand washing, and staying up to date on vaccines.
COVID-19 is NOT over!
— Lexington-Fayette County Health Department (@LFCHD) July 13, 2022
Lexington reported 373 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday. The total includes cases entered in the past week but shows new cases are increasing. The 7-day rolling average is up to 195 cases a day, compared to 136/day 2 weeks ago and 107/3 weeks ago.
1/5#LexDoThis pic.twitter.com/9t5KxAhTif
"People are acting like this pandemic is over," Hall warns. "We are not out of the woods on this. We want people to be able to go back to enjoying some of the things that they did pre-pandemic, but to do so cautiously and safely."
Soon, that could mean a second booster for all adults, as the federal government weighs dropping the current age requirement on that shot.
