During the cold weather, stay indoors whenever possible. However, if you must go outside, dress warmly in layered clothing, including a hat, scarf or knit mask to cover your face and mouth, sleeves that are snug at the wrist, mittens, a water-resistant coat and water-resistant boots. Avoid exertion, as cold weather puts an extra strain on the heart. People with heart disease or high blood pressure should follow their doctor’s advice about shoveling snow or performing other activities in the snow. When outside, avoid walking on ice, and keep your steps and walkways as free of ice as possible.

Be on the lookout for signs of hypothermia and frostbite, two common cold weather-related health problems. Warning signs of hypothermia, which is abnormally low body temperature, include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness. If you detect symptoms of hypothermia, seek medical care immediately. Get the victim into a warm room and remove any wet clothing. Warm the center of the body first with an electric blanket, if available. Otherwise, use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothes, towels or sheets. Warm beverages can help increase the body temperature, but do not use alcoholic beverages.

Warning signs for frostbite, or an injury to the body caused by freezing, include redness or pain in any skin area, white or grayish-yellow skin, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy and numbness. If you detect symptoms of frostbite, seek medical care immediately. Get the victim into a warm room, and immerse the affected area in warm – not hot – water. Do not rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it, as this can cause more damage. Do not use a heating pad, heat lamp or the heat of a stove, fireplace or radiator for warming, as the frostbitten areas are numb and can be easily burned.

These procedures are not substitutes for medical care, and all emergencies should be reported to a physician or health care provider. To learn more about winter weather tips, visit the CDC’s website.

OVERDOSE ALERT FOR LEXINGTON: Lexington is reporting an unusually high number of suspected nonfatal drug overdoses, with 29 Jan. 4-7 according to the Overdose Detection Mapping Application System (ODMAP). By comparison, there were 17 such reports the entire previous week.

This is an important time to carry naloxone, used to reverse opioid overdoses, especially if you or someone you know has substance use disorder. Fentanyl has been found in all types of regulated drugs, so naloxone may help regardless of the drug taken.

Our Harm Reduction Program provides naloxone to anyone who needs it. A 10-15-minute class is all it takes to have an important tool to help the community. Naloxone kits are available 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays, 3-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursdays in the Dr. Rice C. Leach Community Room at the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department, 650 Newtown Pike.

Other ways to help include the following:

• Don’t use drugs alone
• If you or someone you know needs help with substance use disorder, visit https://findhelpnowky.org/ky to search for available treatment options (or call 1-833-859-4357 during business hours or 1-800-854-6813 after business hours)
• Check in on friends, family members, neighbors and others to share this information
• Call 911 if you suspect an overdose.

Thank you to the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center, University of Kentucky College of Public Health and the Kentucky Department for Public Health in sharing this information to help protect people in our community!

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.

It is time to nominate people for the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department’s Dr. Rice C. Leach Public Health Hero Award. The award, now in its 21st year, is for individuals who have demonstrated their dedication to improving the health of Lexington residents.

Criteria for the selection of the award include:

• Exemplary leadership and diligence in promoting public health;
• Remarkable contributions and support in fostering public health programs; and
• Work or actions that have impacted the community’s health in a positive way.

The Lexington-Fayette County Board of Health renamed the award in 2016 in honor of the late Dr. Rice C. Leach “so future generations will know what a true public health super hero is.” Leach, who served as Lexington’s Commissioner of Health for five years, died in April 2016 following a battle with cancer.

If you know of someone to nominate for this award, please provide the following information:

• Name, professional title and organization;
• Phone number and e-mail address of nominee; and
• Examples of why the person is worthy of the award. Descriptions should be no more than 200 words.
• Your name and contact information.

How to Nominate Someone

Submit nominations here: www.lfchd.org/public-health-hero-award-nomination.

The deadline for submitting candidates is noon, Friday, March 1.

The Lexington-Fayette County Board of Health will make the final determination. The winner will receive special recognition from the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government. The awards are given each April as part of National Public Health Week.

Past winners include Dr. Kraig Humbaugh (2023), Lexington Fire Department Battalion Chief Marc Bramlage and Dr. Sharon Walsh (2022), Pastor Richard Gaines and Consolidated Baptist Church (2021), Jon Parker (2020), Mark Johnson (2019), Dr. Svetla Slavova (2018), Kentucky State Sen. Reginald Thomas (2017), Dr. Leach (2016), Dr. Susan Pollack and Marian F. Guinn (2015), the Rev. Willis Polk and Baby Health Service (2014), Anita Courtney and Teens Against Tobacco Use (2013); Vickie Blevins-Booth and Jay McChord (2012); Jill Chenault-Wilson and Dr. Malkanthie McCormick (2011); Dr. Jay Perman (2010); the Lexington Lions Club (2009); Dr. David Stevens and the late Dr. Doane Fischer (2008); Dr. Ellen Hahn, Mary Alice Pratt and Therese Moseley (2007); Dr. Andrew Moore and Rosa Martin (2006); Jan Brucato and Dragana Zaimovic (2005); and Dr. John Michael Moore, Ellen Parks and Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (2004). Dr. Robert Lam received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.

Flu cases continue to rise in Lexington.

Fayette County had 27 new lab-confirmed cases last week, bringing the total to 105 for the 2023-24 flu season. About 85% of all the cases have not received the seasonal flu shot.

Flu Shots in Public Health Clinic

Free flu shots are available for uninsured/underinsured people by same-day appointment only at LFCHD’s Public Health Clinic, 650 Newtown Pike. Please call 859-288-2483 Monday-Thursday to make an appointment; walk-ins will not be accepted in the Public Health Clinic.

Flu Shot Information

The seasonal flu shot is recommended for all people ages 6 months and older and is especially important for people at the highest risk of serious complications from the flu: infants and young children, pregnant women, anyone with underlying medical conditions and adults 50 and older.

In addition to helping prevent you from getting sick with flu, a flu shot can reduce the severity of your illness if you do get flu and reduce your risk of a flu-associated hospitalization.

Please remember that lab-confirmed cases only reflect a small percentage of flu cases actually in Lexington, so the actual case count is likely much higher. Many providers use rapid testing, which is not required to be reported to state/local health departments.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Kentucky Department for Public Health has launched a new page to help provide information about Respiratory Virus Season in Kentucky. Please click here to learn more: Respiratory Viruses.

Respiratory Viruses

​Viruses that cause respiratory diseases, like the ones that cause COVID-19, flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), usually spread in the fall and winter. Anyone can get a respiratory virus infection, but some people are at higher risk for serious illness. The Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) recommends the following actions to protect yourself and others:

• Stay up to date with vaccines
• Stay home, if sick
• Wash hands often
• Cover coughs and sneezes
• Consider wearing a mask if you are high-risk for serious illness​

OCT. 3, 2023: It’s officially flu season in Fayette County: Lexington has its first two lab-confirmed flu cases of 2023-24.

Lexington had 3,472 lab-confirmed flu cases and 16 flu-related deaths in the 2022-23 flu season. About 80% of the cases were in people who were not vaccinated.

Flu Shots in Public Health Clinic

Free flu shots are available for uninsured/underinsured people by same-day appointment only at LFCHD’s Public Health Clinic, 650 Newtown Pike. Please call 859-288-2483 Monday-Thursday to make an appointment; walk-ins will not be accepted in the Public Health Clinic.

Flu Shot Information

The seasonal flu shot is recommended for all people ages 6 months and older and is especially important for people at the highest risk of serious complications from the flu: infants and young children, pregnant women, anyone with underlying medical conditions and adults 50 and older.

In addition to helping prevent you from getting sick with flu, a flu shot can reduce the severity of your illness if you do get flu and reduce your risk of a flu-associated hospitalization.

Please remember that lab-confirmed cases only reflect a small percentage of flu cases actually in Lexington, so the actual case count is likely much higher. Many providers use rapid testing, which is not required to be reported to state/local health departments. We are aware of people in our community testing positive for the flu virus in their provider’s offices through rapid testing, and the flu will continue to spread throughout the winter.

Free Flu Shot Clinic

UPDATED: This clinic is now closed. Thanks to everyone who visited!

Free flu shots are available for anyone 6 months and older at the 2023 Free Flu Shot Clinic 3-6:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at Central Baptist Church, 110 Wilson Downing Road. Pre-registration is required, so sign up now at www.LFCHD.org/FluShots2023 (or www.lfchd.org/gripe2023espanol/ in Spanish)! The high-dose vaccine for ages 65 and older will also be available at this year’s event in limited quantities.

Be sure to check out the Facebook Event listing: 2023 Free Flu Shot Clinic Facebook Event.

Flu Shots

Free flu shots are available for uninsured/underinsured people by same-day appointment only at LFCHD’s Public Health Clinic, 650 Newtown Pike. Please call 859-288-2483 Monday-Thursday to make an appointment; walk-ins will not be accepted in the Public Health Clinic. Note: Please visit www.LFCHD.org/FluShots2023 for information on Oct. 12’s Free Flu Shot Clinic, which is open to anyone who wants a free flu shot!

The seasonal flu shot is recommended for all people ages 6 months and older and is especially important for people at the highest risk of serious complications from the flu: infants and young children, pregnant women, anyone with underlying medical conditions and adults 50 and older.

Lexington had 3,472 lab-confirmed flu cases and 16 flu-related deaths in the 2022-23 flu season. About 80% of the cases were in people who were not vaccinated.

“The annual flu shot remains the best way to fight flu to protect yourself, your family and everyone around you each fall and winter,” LFCHD spokesperson Kevin Hall said.

In addition to helping prevent you from getting sick with flu, a flu shot can reduce the severity of your illness if you do get flu and reduce your risk of a flu-associated hospitalization.

COVID-19 Shots

The new COVID-19 shot is now available in our Public Health Clinic by same-day appointment Monday-Thursday for ages 6 months and older. The health department will ONLY be providing the shot to those who qualify for the Kentucky Vaccine Program – those who are uninsured and children with Medicaid. The COVID-19 shot will be free for those in those groups.

Those who qualify for the Kentucky Vaccine Program can make same-day appointments by calling our Public Health Clinic, 650 Newtown Pike, at 859-288-2483.

We encourage others with insurance to get the COVID-19 shot at area pharmacies or medical providers.

The updated COVID-19 shot is recommend for everyone ages 6 months and older. Older adults and people with weakened immune systems are at the greatest risk for hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Healthy children and adults can still experience severe illness from COVID-19.

The updated shot should work well against currently circulating variants of COVID-19 and continue to be the best way to protect yourself against severe disease. The benefits of COVID-19 vaccination continue to outweigh any potential risks. Serious reactions after COVID-19 vaccination are rare. You can learn more here: www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/whats-new/covid-vaccine-recommendations-9-12-2023.html.

OCT. 2, 2023: The new COVID-19 shot is available in our Public Health Clinic by same-day appointment Monday-Thursday for ages 6 months and older. The health department will ONLY be providing the shot to those who qualify for the Kentucky Vaccine Program – those who are uninsured and children with Medicaid. The COVID-19 shot will be free for those in those groups.

Those who qualify for the Kentucky Vaccine Program can make same-day appointments by calling our Public Health Clinic, 650 Newtown Pike, at 859-288-2483.

We encourage others with insurance to get the COVID-19 shot at area pharmacies or medical providers.

The updated COVID-19 shot is recommend for everyone ages 6 months and older. Older adults and people with weakened immune systems are at the greatest risk for hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Healthy children and adults can still experience severe illness from COVID-19.

The updated shot should work well against currently circulating variants of COVID-19 and continue to be the best way to protect yourself against severe disease. The benefits of COVID-19 vaccination continue to outweigh any potential risks. Serious reactions after COVID-19 vaccination are rare. You can learn more here: www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/whats-new/covid-vaccine-recommendations-9-12-2023.html.

Save the date, Lexington! We’ll be giving free flu shots 3-6:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at Central Baptist Church, 110 Wilson Downing Road. Additional details, including how to register online, are available at www.lfchd.org/flushots2023/. The high-dose vaccine for ages 65 and older will be available in limited quantities.

Be sure to check out the Facebook Event listing: 2023 Free Flu Shot Clinic Facebook Event.

Lexington had 3, 472 lab-confirmed flu cases and 16 flu-related deaths in the 2022-23 flu season. About 80% of the cases were in people who were not vaccinated.

“The annual flu shot remains the best way to fight flu to protect yourself, your family and everyone around you each fall and winter,” LFCHD spokesperson Kevin Hall said.

In addition to helping prevent you from getting sick with flu, a flu shot can reduce the severity of your illness if you do get flu and reduce your risk of a flu-associated hospitalization.

The seasonal flu shot is recommended for all people ages 6 months and older and is especially important for people at the highest risk of serious complications from the flu: infants and young children, pregnant women, anyone with underlying medical conditions and adults 50 and older.