By Lee Bratcher/OC Monitor
HARTFORD, Ky. — After several days of no new confirmed cases of COVID-19, during his update today, Ohio County Judge-Executive David Johnston confirmed there were three new cases of COVID-19 in Ohio County. The Green River District Health Department first reported the new cases.
Ohio County has had 11 total cases of COVID-19, but two of those patients have recovered and Johnston hoped to have several more recover by week’s end. Two Ohio County patients with COVID-19 are currently hospitalized.
“I think Ohio County’s ahead of the game because we were prepared before it actually hit us,” said Johnston. “Ohio County, we’re going to be okay. We need to keep on doing what we’re doing, and we’re going to come through this, and one of these days we’ll be in real good shape.”
Jim Duke, president of Com-Care EMS, to give an update on the county’s ambulance service. Duke also believed Ohio County was going to make it through this crisis and “be stronger for it.”
According to Duke, Ohio County EMS is prepared for any medical emergency and stands ready to help when called. Ohio County EMS is also in contact with Butler County regarding its sudden surge in nursing home patients and staff who have tested positive for COVID-19.
Duke reminded people to stay at home and away from groups of people. He also asked those who had to go to the store to have a plan.
“We all have to go and have certain things that are necessary, such as going to the store. When you go, think about it. Have a plan when you go to the store. Have a plan on how you’re going to keep your hands clean. How you’re going to wear a mask. How you’re going to be very careful about what you touch and how you’re going to disinfect yourself when you leave,” Duke said. “Have a plan. This is very important.”
Next CeCe Robinson, Owensboro Healthcare Community Relations Director, spoke about the preparations OCH is making to be ready for a possible surge in COVID-19 patients.
Robinson said OCH has the capability to test for COVID-19 in two ways, but relies on the state and federal government to supply needed resources to expand testing. When OCH does expand testing, the confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio County is likely to increase. More testing will equal more cases.
Robinson said OCH is fully capable of handling the rise of confirmed COVID-19 patients.
“As a state, we anticipate seeing our peak hospital usage time at around the third week of April,” Robinson said. “Ohio County may see it a little later than that, due to being a rural county.”
OCH has two different preparedness plans for the COVID-19 crisis, the emergency preparedness plan and the infection control plan. Also, OCH has created and fine-tuned a surge plan. OCH has also reached out to the nursing homes in the area, including in Butler County, to help with rising numbers of elderly patients being infected by COVID-19.
Robinson introduced Dr. Joshua Skibba, OCH Chief Medical Officer, to talk about the hospital’s surge plan for dealing with COVID-19.
Skibba said the surge plan was a plan dealing with a surge of patients which could possibly overwhelm the hospital. One of the biggest fears of COVID-19 wasn’t just the possible infection and death of people, but the possibility there could be so many COVID-19 patients, hospitals wouldn’t be able to treat them all or have a shortage of equipment.
“I’m optimistic that, hopefully, we’ll not have to optimize this surge plan,” Dr. Skibba said. “But as your main healthcare provider in the community, it’s our job to have this plan well-developed and able to implement at any time to take care of you.”
Dr. Skibba then spent the next few minutes discussing OCH’s surge plan, which includes securing additional ventilators and staying in contact with larger regional healthcare providers if needed.
“We had great physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses and all kinds of staff before the COVID-19 virus hit and we continue to have the same staff and we’re going to continue to give you the same level of great care through all this as well,” Dr. Skibba said. “I think we’re doing great. I hope we don’t have to implement this surge plan, but we’re available and we’ve got to enact it if it needs to be.”
Johnston reminded viewers the Ohio County Fiscal Court would have its meeting at 5 p.m. this evening, April 14, 2020, on Facebook Live on the Ohio County Fiscal Court Facebook page. The public is not able to attend the meeting.
According to Johnston, his next update on Facebook Live will be at 11:30 a.m. Friday, April 17, 2020.
To view this update, visit the Ohio County Fiscal Court Facebook page.