Vaccinations most effective way to protect yourself, city officials say

On Tuesday, Mayor Greg Fischer and Dr. Sarah Moyer, Louisville’s Chief Health Strategist, announced Louisville’s COVID-19 status has been downgraded to yellow for the first time since July 2020.

Dr. Moyer said the change is encouraging considering the state of the city being at a high-level red in the winter. She cautioned that an alert level yellow status means there is still potential for community spread and that the most effective way to protect yourself from the virus is to get vaccinated.

“Think back to last summer when we were in the yellow and how nervous we were then with the high level of disease in our community,” she said. “Vaccines are really good at preventing hospitalizations, deaths, shortening the length of this disease and preventing long-term effects. If you’re not vaccinated and are around others that aren’t vaccinated, please continue to get tested weekly especially if you have symptoms. We know that early medical intervention helps prevent hospitalization.”

Mayor Fischer said the city is beginning to have a pre-pandemic atmosphere following the capacity restrictions expanding to 75% for businesses and events, and curfew ending for bars and restaurants. The mayor said while many public health experts feel good about the upcoming summer months, residents still need to stay vigilant in following safety measures to avoid the virus spreading uncontrollably in the community.

“What we know is that we have to stay humble to this virus,” Mayor Fischer said. “Its job is to live and it’s not going to give up easily. The more people get vaccinated, the easier it will be for this virus to go away.”

Here are the key COVID-19 data metrics for the week of May 31, 2021:

• There were 391 new cases over the previous week, 9 new deaths were reported.
• Hospitalization data:
  • 63 patients currently hospitalized have COVID-19, compared to 71 last week.
  • 27 patients in ICU with COVID-19 as of May 31, compared to 25 the week prior
  • 18 COVID-19 patients on ventilators as of May 31, compared to 16 last week.
  • All hospitalized patients are unvaccinated.
  • Hospitalizations rising in 40- to 50-year-olds

• 752,575 total vaccine doses given in Metro Louisville since December.
• 51% of Louisville residents have received at least one dose of vaccine and 40.2% have completed the vaccine series.

Individuals who need assistance scheduling a vaccine appointment can call the LOU Health Helpline at (502)-912-8598, or they can visit Vaccines.gov to find providers near them.

First Responder Data

Currently, six members of LMPD, Louisville Fire, Metro EMS, Metro Corrections and the Sheriff’s Office are off-duty due to COVID-19:

• 4 are off with positive tests and in self-isolation

• 1 is off and quarantined due to exposure to someone who tested positive

• 1 is off with symptoms, pending test results

 Positive test numbers for first responders/public safety since the incident began:

• 570 positive tests
• 564 have fully recovered and returned to duty

Metro Corrections inmate data:

Total Tested: 8,140

Total Positive: 433

Total Recovered: 420

Total currently under medical isolation: 13

Total tests pending: 0

On May 24, 2021, First Sergeant John Hartman responded to rural Scott County for the report of a suspicious person. 

Upon arrival, an investigation led to the arrest of Edward Akers, 41, of Deputy IN, for Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Paraphernalia. 

On May 28, 2021, Corporal Johnney Coomer and Deputy Skylar Thompson went to an address in rural Scott County in an attempt to serve an outstanding arrest warrant. 

Upon arrival Brian Mullins, 41, of Scottsburg was arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant for Escape, Flees Lawful Detention. 

On May 28, 2021, Corporal Johnney Coomer went to an address in Crothersville, IN, to attempt to serve an outstanding arrest warrant. 

Upon arrival Travis Baker, 44, of Deputy, IN, was arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant for three counts of Failure to Comply. 

On May 21, 2021, Corporal Johnney Coomer and Deputy Skylar Thompson went to an address in Scottsburg in an attempt to serve an outstanding arrest warrant. 

Upon arrival Mark Knoll, 52, of Scottsburg was arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant for two counts of Failure to Appear. 

On May 29, 2021, Deputy Skylar Thompson conducted a traffic stop in Scottsburg.  An investigation led to the arrest of two people for drug related offenses. 

Kelly Terry, 56, of Scottsburg was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine, Maintaining a Common Nuisance and Possession of Paraphernalia. 

Matthew Terry, 24, of Scottsburg was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine and Visiting a Common Nuisance. 

On May 30, 2021, Corporal Johnney Coomer and Deputy Skylar Thompson checked a suspicious vehicle at a local business in rural Scott County after the business was closed.  An investigation led to the arrest of two people on drug related offenses. 

Sarah Williams, 38, of New Albany, IN, was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine, Maintaining a Common Nuisance and Possession of Paraphernalia. 

Heather Gay, 34, of Scottsburg was arrested for Possession of Cocaine or a Schedule I or II Narcotic Drug At Least 5 Grams but Less Than 10 Grams, Visiting a Common Nuisance and Possession of Paraphernalia. 

On May 31, 2021, Corporal Charlie Morgan and Deputy Zach Brown responded to rural Scott County for the report of invasion of privacy.  Upon arrival an investigation led to the arrest of William Jordon, 31, of Scottsburg for Invasion of Privacy.