WQXE NEWS

For just the second time in their history, the American Red Cross has declared a national blood supply crisis.

The Red Cross says blood donations have fallen to a four-year summer low, which they say deepens “an emergency shortage that threatens the availability of lifesaving blood for patients across the country.” The last blood supply crisis was declared in 2022.

The Red Cross says blood donations are not keeping pace with hospital demand, which saw an increase during the summer trauma season. Further strains on the blood supply resulted from a decrease in donations due to extreme heat, poor air quality, and widespread foodborne illnesses. The Red Cross has begun limiting distributions of Type O blood to individual hospitals to ensure the most commonly transfused blood type is available for the most critical emergencies.

The Red Cross urges eligible blood donors, especially those with Type O blood, to schedule a donation. As an added incentive, donors between now and August 31 will receive a $20 Amazon gift card. Visit www.redcrossblood.org for more information on donating or to schedule an appointment. Donations may also be made by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or in the Blood Donor app.

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District Five is alerting drivers to two construction projects that may impact commutes in Bullitt County this week.

The KYTC says beginning Monday alternating lane closures will be in effect on Interstate 65 between mile markers 116 and 117 as engineers perform routine hands-on inspections of the bridge over Salt River. Lane closures will be in effect on I-65 South from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Lane closures will be in effect on I-65 North from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Monday, August 10.

Meanwhile, the lane closure on KY 1526 (Brooks Hill Road) has been extended as crews continue slope stabilization work. The lane closure between Holsclaw Hill Road and Brooks View Road is expected to continue through Tuesday. Drivers will continue to be directed through the work zone by automated flagger assistance devices.

Drivers should heed all signage and use caution when travelling through work zones. Follow KYTC District Five on social media for updates.

The start of the school year is just around the corner, and the Breckinridge County Health Department is reminding parents that now is a good time to make sure your child is up to date on their immunizations.

“We look at it more as a precautionary thing, you know, proactive as opposed to reactive,” said BCHD Public Health Director Scott Shrewsbury. “There are a number of different diseases and viruses and things of that nature that are out there that we want to try to get ahead of and try to protect our kids as much as possible, as well as protect our community.”

Shrewsbury said the health department understands and respects families may have religious or medical-related exemptions, but they encourage those that can to stay up to date on immunizations to best protect the community.

The health department’s Facebook page has a table listing the benchmarks for vaccines at ages 3, 4, 5, 11 to 12, and 16 based on recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Contact the health department to schedule an appointment.

“I just wish everybody to have a safe and healthy school year, and I’m looking forward to getting the school year started,” Shrewsbury said. “I realize the children may not be just yet, but we just want to make sure that we keep our community as safe and healthy as possible.”

Contact your primary care provider for more information on immunizations.