Gov. Beshear: State Reports Highest Week Ever for New COVID-19 Cases
Gov. Beshear: State Reports Highest Week Ever for New COVID-19 Cases
700 Capitol AvenueFrankfort, KY 40601
Highly contagious omicron variant continues to spread rapidly; highest ever test positivity rate reported today
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 10, 2022) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear said Kentucky reported 52,603 new COVID-19 cases last week, the highest weekly total ever by nearly 22,000 cases. The second highest week for new cases was the week ending Sept. 5, 2021, when 30,680 cases were reported.
The Governor also reported the state’s highest ever test positivity rate today, 26.33%, and updated Kentuckians on relief efforts for families impacted by Dec. 10-11 tornadoes.
“Omicron continues to burn through the commonwealth, growing at levels we have never seen before. Omicron is significantly more contagious than even the delta variant,” said Gov. Beshear. “If it spreads at the rate we are seeing, it is certainly going to fill up our hospitals.”
The Governor said he is deploying 445 Kentucky National Guard members to 30 health care facilities to provide support, beginning this week.
“We are now in a nearly vertical spike the likes of which dwarf all prior escalations,” said Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH). “In just two weeks, Kentucky has gone from roughly half our delta variant surge peak to more than double our delta variant surge peak. At this point, essentially all COVID-19 in Kentucky is likely to be the omicron variant.”
Omicron appears to cause less severe illness, particularly among people who are vaccinated. Dr. Stack provided several tips to help Kentuckians during the surge:
- If you are sick, stay home until you feel better.
- Get vaccinated or boosted, if eligible. Boosters dramatically bolster your protection against severe disease and death.
- Wear a well-fitting mask at all times when indoors in public places such school, work, stores, etc.
- If you think you have COVID-19 and/or have had a high-risk exposure and you are able, get tested.
Dr. Stack also said K-12 schools guidance is changing in light of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updating its K-12 isolation and quarantine guidance last week.
Dr. Stack said, “Most importantly, universal masking is essential with omicron. If universal masking is not required in K-12 schools, omicron will spread rapidly and result in rapid and massive student and staff absences to due illness.”
If a school requires universal masking then it:
Gov. Beshear Reports Highest Ever COVID-19 Case Numbers, Test Positivity Rate
Gov. Beshear Reports Highest Ever COVID-19 Case Numbers, Test Positivity Rate
700 Capitol AvenueFrankfort, KY 40601
Nine tornadoes now confirmed from New Year’s Day storms
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 3, 2022) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear updated Kentuckians on the COVID-19 omicron variant and the storms affecting Western, South Central and Eastern Kentucky on New Year’s Day.
On Dec. 30, 6,441 cases were reported in Kentucky, the highest ever in a single day. The previous highest number was 5,742 cases reported Jan. 6, 2021. Today’s test positivity rate, 20.72%, is the highest ever.
“The most important thing for everyone to hear today is that omicron has not only come to the commonwealth, it has hit us harder, in terms of escalation of cases, than anything we have seen to date,” said Gov. Beshear. “We have gone from the plateau to the second highest week of reported cases since the start of the pandemic.”
During the week ending Jan. 2, Kentucky reported 29,955 new COVID-19 cases and an average positivity rate of 20.38%. This is approximately twice the number of cases as were reported the week prior (15,255). This is also the second highest week of reported cases since the start of the pandemic, surpassed only by the week of Aug. 30, 2021 during the delta variant wave.
“The omicron variant is spreading rapidly. Omicron spreads so easily, it is compared to measles, the most contagious human virus on the planet,” said Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH). “Hospitalization numbers are also increasing, though not yet as rapidly as cases, but health care resources are stretched very thin due to both the increased number of COVID patients in hospitals coupled with an even more strained health care workforce due to workers who are themselves out sick with COVID.”
Due to the volume of COVID-19 cases and the speed at which the omicron variant is spreading, individuals who test positive should self-isolate, notify their close contacts and contact their health care provider if symptoms worsen or if they need to seek medical care.
KDPH has revised the guidance for the general public in light of the changes presented by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last week allowing for shortened isolation and quarantine under certain circumstances. Click here to review the CDC guidance. Institutes of higher education may follow the guidance for the public. Health care facilities (including long-term care) should follow the health care personnel guidance for isolation and quarantine (updated 12/23/2021).
KDPH guidance for K-12 Schools and Early Childhood Education remain unchanged and schools/child care centers should continue to follow this guidance: Universal use of masks and physical distancing are still recommended, and test-to-stay remains an option for K-12 students who are exposed and asymptomatic.
Online Payment Option Now Available
The City of Russellville has partnered with Nexbillpay to provide additional payment options for our customers. You now have the option to pay your City water bill on the internet or over the phone with a credit or debit card. Please note the link above under Online Services named Russellville Water - Pay Water Bill. There is also a link to the gateway page in the main menu at the top under SERVICES named MAKE ONLINE PAYMENT. Both links will take you to the gateway page with details about the transaction. The telephone number for making over-the-phone payments is also on that page.
Public Notice
Effective immediately:
The City of Russellville Water Department can no longer accept change in excess of $5.00 for payment. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. We appreciate your understanding.
Chipper Truck Routes
The chipper truck runs every week of the month.
The map below shows which streets are covered on which day.
Click on the image to view a larger version of the map.
Employement Opportunity: Sewer Maintenance Trainee
The City of Russellville, KY is seeking a Sewer Maintenance Trainee.
This is an entry level position, reporting directly to the supervisor of the I&I Department.
This position will require learning and performing the following duties:
- Checks collection system for Inflow and Infiltration.
- Learning manhole, air release valves and sewer line locations throughout the city.
- Performs minor repair, major repair, and new construction to collection system.
- Routine and non-routine maintenance on submersible and suction lift pump stations.
- Assist with customer relations.
- Operate equipment such as jetter wagon, vac-wagon, backhoe and video equipment.
- Must be able to respond to calls in an emergency situation at all hours.
- On call on a rotation with a pager. Assists other departments and employees as required.
Experience is a plus.
Must pass a medical examination, drug screening, background check and hold a valid driver’s license.
Applications may be printed here or picked up at the Mayor’s office
168 S. Main St. Russellville, KY 42256
Street Department Dumpster Schedule and Hours
Open second Saturday every other month.
| Month | Hours |
| January | 7:00am - 3:00pm |
| March | 7:00am - 3:00pm |
| May | 7:00am - 3:00pm |
| July | 7:00am - 3:00pm |
| September | 7:00am - 3:00pm |
| November | 7:00am - 3:00pm |