KENTUCKY — Some Kentucky colleges will be changing COVID-19 protocols, and the Kentucky National Guard will be stepping in to assist hospitals amid rising COVID-19 cases. Those are just some of the changes you can expect to take place this week in Kentucky.
What You Need To Know
- Transylvania University starts the new semester Monday
- Students and staff at Transylvania University have until Oct. 13 to provide proof of vaccination
- There will be weekly COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated students and staff at the University of Kentucky starting Wednesday
- The Kentucky National Guard will start assisting Kentucky hospitals amid a COVID-19 surge
Students start the new school year Monday at Transylvania University. Just last week, the university announced students and employees have until Oct. 13 to provide proof of vaccination. Exemption requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Everyone must still wear a mask in public indoor spaces on campus, regardless of vaccination status.
You can read President Brain Lewis' full statement on the change here.
Unvaccinated students and staff at the University of Kentucky will be required to take weekly COVID-19 tests.
According to the university, students already get tested regularly. This now extends that requirement to unvaccinated faculty and staff.
UK President Eli Capilouto said, once fully vaccinated, weekly testing is no longer required.
Also starting Wednesday, the Kentucky National Guard will be assisting hospitals in the state amid surging COVID-19 cases.
A total of 75 troops will be deployed in teams of 15 for two weeks.
The Kentucky National Guard members will be starting at the Medical Center in Bowling Green, the St. Clair Regional Medical Center in Morehead and the Pikeville Medical Center.
Other Kentucky National Guard missions include mobile vaccination teams, supporting local health departments and supporting local food banks.