GRDHD reports 5 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases, none in Ohio County

In Local, News by OC Monitor Staff

OWENSBORO, Ky. — Monday, June 1, 2020, the Green River District Health Department reported five additional confirmed COVID-19 cases, two in Henderson County and three in Union County. The total number of reported COVID-19 cases in the district is 682.

Seventeen people in the district are currently hospitalized. Of the 682 confirmed cases in the district, 79 (11.5 percent) have required hospitalization. The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 532 (78 percent). The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 9,704 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 431 statewide deaths.

With no new confirmed cases for two days in a row, Ohio County stand at 168 total confirmed COVID-19 cases. Of those, 115 patients have recovered leaving Ohio County with 53 active cases of COVID-19. There is currently one Ohio County COVID-19 patient in the hospital. Overall, 11 Ohio Countians have been hospitalized due to COVID-19.

“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 offer free COVID-19 testing this week. Curbside testing will be available at the health department’s clinic site in McLean County June 2. The health department will also provide testing from its mobile unit in Centertown at Western Elementary School June 2. Testing will be available at the health department’s Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, Union and Webster County clinic locations June 3. Testing will be offered at Henderson Housing Authority June 4.

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.

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 – 54.3 percent

Female – 45.7 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.