Clinic July 29 at health department
BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Every person who gets a Moderna COVID-19 vaccination or booster July 29 at the Martin County Health Department will receive a $25 gas card.
The clinic starts at 8:30 a.m., runs until 4 p.m., and is open to all persons aged 6 months and up.
MCHD Director Steven Ward says the number of appointments will not be limited, and residents should call the health department at 606-298-7752 to schedule.
“We will receive a Kentucky Association of Health Plans grant to pay for incentives,” Ward said. “I requested $1,500. If I need more, it is my understanding that I can request more if we have more participants than anticipated.”
Should the need arise, the health department will schedule additional dates. However, based on interest in the county thus far, Ward does not anticipate that will happen.
Ward stressed the importance of getting vaccinated and getting the booster shots.
“According to the experts, it is the best way to protect yourself from COVID-19,” stated Ward.
Martin County is one of 37 Kentucky counties that are orange on the latest CDC community levels risk map, indicating a high risk of coronavirus transmission. On the CDC’s map of coronavirus transmission, Martin and 114 other counties are red, indicating a high level of virus transmission.
According to the CDC, 54.6 percent of the Martin County population is fully vaccinated, while the number with one booster shot drops to 29.9 percent.
On Monday, Martin County Health Department announced 33 new COVID-19 cases for the week of July 5-11, all 33 active. That brings the county’s total case count to 3,807 since the pandemic began.
The health department has reported no deaths since March; the death toll was 50 Monday.
Martin County has had 1,388 new COVID cases and nine related deaths in 2022. Here’s the monthly breakdown:
January—605 cases, three deaths.
February—489 cases, two deaths.
March—95 cases, four deaths.
April—19 cases, zero deaths.
May—33 cases, zero deaths.
June—95 cases, zero deaths.
In the first 11 days of July—52 cases, zero deaths.
The KAHP funding is part of the “Healthy Together Through Vaccination Community Grant Program.” The initiative aims to increase COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and access across Kentucky.
