OWENSBORO, Ky. — Today, April 17, 2020, the Green River District Health Department reported 10 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases, three in Daviess County, one in Hancock County, two in Henderson County, two in Union County and two in Webster County. The total number of reported COVID-19 cases in the district is 167.
Nine people in the district are currently hospitalized. Of the 167 confirmed cases in the district, 30 (18 percent) have required hospitalization. The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 81 (49 percent).
The health department provided clarification on why there are sometimes discrepancies between the numbers it reports and other sources. The cases being reported from the GRDHD have been investigated and confirmed locally. These cases are then reported to the Kentucky Department for Public Health. There are multiple steps and redundancies in the reporting process to make sure that case information is accurate and to ensure cases do not go unreported. This process sometimes may result in lags between state and local reporting and some discrepancies from duplicate reports. The health department is actively working with other partners to identify and address all reporting discrepancies as quickly as possible.
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.
- Wear a cloth face cover when you have to go out in public.
- 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. 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 11 a.m. April 17, 2020, total reported cases in Green River District by county are:
Additional demographic information includes:
Average age: 48
Age range: 16 – 92
Male – 43.7 percent
Female – 56.3 percent
