Dr. Francis DuFrayne with Owensboro Health says November and December have been the busiest months for the hospital since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

"November and December have been the busiest we've been since COVID started," Dr. DuFrayne explained on Wednesday as he spoke with Daviess County Judge-Executive Al Mattingly on the current status of COVID-19 in the area.

According to Dr. DuFrayne, Owensboro Health is currently treating 43 COVID-19 patients, with about half of those patients being from Daviess County, and the remaining patients coming in from surrounding counties.

"I think a lot of it is it's winter, we're indoors more, there's fatigue of COVID - people are getting tired of isolation and wearing their masks and not going out," Dr. DuFrayne speculated. "So our admission rate has gone up."

The hospital network has also been busy vaccinating its employees, with vaccine administration beginning at the hospital after its first shipment was received on Dec. 23.

"So far on average, we're immunizing about 350 people a day and we've already passed our 1,000 mark," Dr. DuFrayne shared.

Dr. DuFrayne, who received the COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday, says that it was a smooth process with few adverse effects.

"The only side effect I had was a sore arm," Dr. DuFrayne explained. "The next morning, I woke up - absolutely no symptoms. I spoke with a few people, and they've talked a little bit about aches and pains the day of the shot - the next day they're up and at em' with little to no effects."

The hospital reiterates that as of now, its vaccine supply is limited to Owensboro Health employees with direct patient contact and independent providers with Owensboro Health privileges, but hopes to offer the vaccine to the community through discussions with state and local health officials and increased supply.

You can view Dr. DuFrayne's full discussion with Judge-Executive Mattingly below.