**UPDATE** HARTFORD, Ky. (4/1/20-11:32 a.m.) — Ohio County Healthcare, on its Facebook page, has confirmed the two confirmed cases of COVID-19 announced by the Green River District Health Department.
According to the OCH Facebook page, Joshua Skibba, OCH Chief Medical Officer, and David Johnston, Ohio County Judge-Executive, will be live on the OCH Facebook page tentatively at 1 p.m. Central Time for a public announcement.
OWENSBORO, Ky. — Today, the Green River District Health Department reported 17 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases. Ohio County reported their first two confirmed cases of COVID-19. Additionally, Daviess County reported 11 new cases, Henderson County reported three new cases and Webster County reported one new case.
“We have anticipated the increase in confirmed cases and expect to see more new cases,” said Clay Horton, Public Health Director. “People must continue to be vigilant in helping stop the spread of COVID-19. The lab-confirmed cases are only a portion of what is in the community”.
The total number of cases reported in the district is now 61. Ten previously confirmed cases have recovered.
The health department wants to reinforce this guidance with the community:
- Stay home, avoid crowds and social distance
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick (fever, cough, sneeze, and difficulty breathing). To avoid close contact, stay at least 6 feet away from others.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- To avoid coughing into your hands, you can cough into your elbow.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Adults over 60 and people who have severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease seem to be at higher risk for more serious COVID-19 illness. Those people should be extra vigilant and stay home as much as possible.
To help answer the community’s questions about COVID-19, the Kentucky Department for Public health has set up a website with the latest guidance and information for Kentucky residents. The site can be accessed at www.kycovid19.ky.gov. The public can also call the Kentucky COVID-19 hotline at 800-722-5725.
As of 9 a.m. April 1, 2020, total reported cases in Green River District by county are:
- Daviess County – 45 cases
- Hancock County – 1 case
- Henderson County – 8 cases
- Ohio County – 2 cases
- Union County – 2 cases
- Webster County – 3 cases