Kentucky town holds service to honor memory of those lost to COVID-19

DANVILLE, Ky. (WKYT) - It’s been almost four years since COVID-19 showed up in Kentucky.

More than 180 people died in Boyle County alone. Monday, people in the county held a service to remember them and the impact the virus had on the community.

Danville was among the many Kentucky communities hit hard by COVID-19. Its hospital treated a lot of people, and there were many deaths, especially toward the end of 2020 and into 2021.

Community leaders shared thoughts and memories during the service at 10 a.m. Monday. People shouted out names of their loved ones who died and a people gathered around a tree that was planted and to plant seeds.

Joseph Key lost both his mother and brother to COVID-19, and he was also in the hospital being treated while the virus had a devastating impact on his family.

“It was just devastating—two deaths like this. I was still recuperating from Covid too. I think about my brother because he worked all his life, and he was ready to retire. He retired and went straight to the hospital. That right there kind of hurt,” said Key.

Local officials say it was not only the loss of life but COVID-19 impacted every family because of the shut downs, schools closed, and loss of productivity.

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