OWENSBORO, Ky. — Wednesday, May 27, 2020, the Green River District Health Department reported 29 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases, seven in Daviess County, one in Hancock County, five in Henderson County, one in McLean County and 15 in Ohio County. The total number of reported COVID-19 cases in the district is 656.
Sixteen people in the district are currently hospitalized. Of the 656 confirmed cases in the district, 76 (12 percent) have required hospitalization. The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 494 (75 percent). As of May 26, 2020, the state of Kentucky was reporting 8,951 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 394 statewide deaths.
Ohio County seemed to be on the descend after receiving a total of 10 confirmed cases in the last seven days, but with today’s 15 new cases, the county has a total of 165 cases of COVID-19. Of those, 103 patients have recovered, but Ohio County still has 62 active cases, which is an increase of 12 active cases from Tuesday’s total. One Ohio County patient is currently in the hospital.
“As things continue to open up we want to remind everyone the virus is still out there,” said Clay Horton, GRDHD Public Health Director. “It is more important now than ever that you use good judgment and follow our recommendations to protect yourself and your family.”
The health department will continue to offer free COVID-19 testing this week. Testing will be available at its Daviess, Hancock, Union, and Webster County clinic locations today. The health department will also provide testing from its mobile unit at the Henderson Housing Authority today.
To schedule an appointment visit the GRDHD website, https://healthdepartment.org, and follow the COVID-19 Test prompts. You must be pre-registered to be tested. If you are sick, experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, including, but not limited to, a fever, cough, and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or feel you have a medical emergency, call your health care provider.
Kroger will also will be providing testing this week at Henderson Community and Technical College today through May 28. To sign-up for the Kroger testing site visit https://www.thelittleclinic.com/drivethru- testing.
The cases being reported from the Green River District Health Department have been investigated and confirmed locally. These cases are then reported to the Kentucky Department for Public Health.
Additional demographic information includes*
Average age: 43
Age range: 7 months old – 93
Male – 55.1 percent
Female – 44.9 percent
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.