UPDATED JAN. 8, 2024: COVID-19 and the flu are still spreading in Central Kentucky, with Fayette County also seeing its second flu-related death this past week.

Lexington saw 327 new COVID-19 cases last week, which does not include home-test kits, making it the most in a week since the last week of November.

The city also had 81 lab-confirmed flu cases, marking eight straight weeks of at least 40 new cases, bringing the total for the season up to 927. An electronic lab-reporting error has created a slight delay in reporting some cases. The flu-related death was a person in their 70s with underlying health conditions. Almost 83% of the cases had not received a flu shot.

You can protect your family, your friends and yourself by getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu. Anyone without insurance or kids with Medicaid can get free flu and COVID-19 shots in our Public Health Clinic Monday-Thursday with a same-day appointment by calling 859-288-2483.

We encourage others with insurance to get the COVID-19 shot at area pharmacies or medical providers. Visit www.vaccines.gov to see more options.