By Lee Bratcher/OC Monitor
HARTFORD, Ky. — Ohio County Judge-Executive David Johnston was back today for his regular COVID-19 update and he had four new confirmed COVID-19 cases to report.
Ohio County has seen its number of confirmed COVID-19 cases jump from 41 three days ago to 62 today. The rising number of cases can be explained by expanded testing by Ohio County Healthcare, but there’s no doubt the cases aren’t just isolated to a certain area.
“We can no longer say (COVID-19) is isolated to the few places like Perdue and people working out of the county and coming back here,” Johnston said. “That was the case early on, but now it’s not. We’re doing a lot more testing, Ohio County Healthcare is, and that’s where our new cases are being found and it’s pretty much across (the county).”
Johnston asked Ohio County residents to “double down” in their prevention efforts to stop the spread of the disease.
“We’ve got to wear our masks when we’re out. Go out only when we have to. Wear gloves when you go to the store and only one person at a time should leave the house to go (to the grocery),” Johnston said. “If you’re sick at all, don’t go (out). If you’ve got something else besides COVID-19, but you’re a little bit ill, that makes you a lot more apt to get this virus because your resistance is down.”
Johnston did have a bit of good news as there have been no deaths in Ohio County due to the disease and 16 patients have recovered from the illness.
“But as you see, we’re getting new cases quicker than we’re getting recovery cases,” Johnston said. “That’s not where we want to go. We want to be going the other way.”
Johnston was asked why he wasn’t reporting all of the Perdue Farms cases. Johnston didn’t report the total number of Perdue cases because some of those cases were people who lived outside of Ohio County. He only wants to report Ohio County cases.
“Some of our 62 (cases) did come from Perdue,” Johnston said. “Several did, actually, but not all, by any means. We can’t say that’s the only place where we’ve got (COVID-19), it’s pretty widespread.”
There have been several reports on the total number of COVID-19 cases at Perdue, according to Johnston, this Wednesday, Perdue told him there were “about 110” confirmed COVID-19 cases at the plant.
“Hopefully, we’ll beat this and we will by social distancing, by wearing our masks and washing our hands and doing everything that we know to do to prevent (the spread of COVID-19),” Johnston said. “We will get through it, but Ohio County, we’re it now. We’re the epicenter of this thing. So we’ve got to do everything that we know to prevent the spread of this (disease).”
Ohio County EMA Director Charlie Shields spoke about filling out the 2020 Census. According to Shields, Kentucky ranks 17th in the United States for filling out the census and Ohio County ranks 60 out of 120 Kentucky counties. You can fill out your 2020 Census online at 2020census.gov. If you need help filling out your census, you can contact Shields’ office at 270-298-4412.
Filling out your 2020 Census is a big deal. Both the state and the federal government look at the census numbers to decide to fund certain programs used by all of Ohio County.
Shields reminds those who need help with anything to call his office or dial 2-1-1 to contact Green River 211. Green River 211 is a service provided by the United Way. Operators are standing by 24/7 to help connect those who need help to those who can help them. You can also go online at greenriver211.org.
Shields next spoke about PPE. By May 11, Governor Andy Beshear wants all those who go out in public to wear a cloth mask. This protects both you and others from being infected or infecting others with COVID-19. The masks don’t need to be N95 masks, just cloth masks will be fine. The masks need to cover your nose and mouth.
Call Shields’ office if you need help finding masks.
Johnston reminded Ohio County to remain vigilant in stopping the spread of COVID-19.
“Maybe this won’t last a lot longer, but right now, it’s here and we’re the ones that have to deal with it,” Johnston said. “We’ve got to do everything we know to do to stop it. Ohio County we will get through this, we’ll get through this together.”