By Lee Bratcher/ OC Monitor
HARTFORD, Ky. — Ohio County Judge-Executive David Johnston ended the week with his second COVID-19 update. Joining him today was Hartford Mayor Geroge Chinn, Beaver Dam Fire Chief David Stevens Jr. and Ohio County EMA Director Charlie Shields.
Johnston opened his update by reporting the nine new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio County, bringing the total cases to 35 with 10 recovered.
“Keep on doing what you’re doing, please,” Johnston urged Ohio Countians. “This is working because our new numbers are coming from isolated groups.”
Johnston is referring to testing done at Perdue Farms in Cromwell. According to a news report from 14 WFIE, there have been 19 confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Perdue. Of those 19 cases, eight were Ohio County residents.
“Perdue is a good player in this and is working really well with the Green River District Health Department and they’ve got it under control through social distancing,” Johnston said. “They had to go outside of their plant to get this done. They were already doing everything that could be done inside the plant. And, of course, they’re food producers, so they’re essential workers.”
In its daily update, Ohio County Healthcare reported it was testing people from several work environments.
Johnston reminded those who think they may have COVID-19, OCH has three screening locations at this time, one in Hartford, Fordsville and in Morgantown.
“The broader testing will give us more numbers (of confirmed cases), but we’re having a lot more negatives come back than positives,” Johnston said.
Hartford Mayor George Chinn encouraged Ohio Countians to continue to do what health officials are recommending. Chinn was concerned about city employees contracting COVID-19 while working and asked everyone to wear a cloth mask and gloves when out among people. He asked those who live in Hartford to contact Hartford City Hall at 270-298-3612 if they had any needs.
Beaver Dam Fire Chief David Stevens Jr. was proud of how Beaver Dam has fared during the COVID-19 pandemic and believed people were working hard to be safe. Beaver Dam has closed is city offices to in-person visits, but city staff is still working. Residents can call 274-7106 for assistance.
Stevens, like most of us, hoped the COVID-19 cases were reaching its peak and things would open up, but he thought people should still be cautious.
“Let’s remember that, even as things do open, we need to continue to keep our social distance and make sure that we’re not going to spread the virus any worse than it already is,” Stevens said.
Ohio County EMA Director Charlie Shields gave an update on the 2020 Census. Today, Kentucky ranked 16th out of all states for filling out the census. In Ohio County, 53.9 percent of people have filled out their census. The state average is 53 percent.
“Fill out your census. The cities, the county needs that,” Shields said. “When this is all said and done, this is where we get our (state and federal money) from. That’s how we help fund our (projects and programs) in our cities and county.”
Shields also reminded people who go to Walmart for groceries to treat the food aisles as a “one-way street.” Walmart has placed stickers on the floor to indicate aisles are now one way only.
Those who needed assistance can call the cities, Shields office at 270-298-4412 or dial 2-1-1 for help from Green River 211.
Johnston ended the update with words of instruction and encouragement.
“This isn’t going to be much longer. Please keep social distancing, only one at a time should go to the store for a family and things like that,” Johnston said. “If you have to go to work, social distance there and if you have the option, stay at home. We will get through this, Ohio County. And we’ll get through this together.”
Johnston will return at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 28, 2020, for his next update.
To view Johnston’s April 24, 2020, COVID-19 update, click here.