OWENSBORO, Ky. — Saturday, July 18, 2020, the Green River District Health Department reported 35 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases, 14 in Daviess County, eight in Henderson County, six in Ohio County, three in Union County and four in Webster County. The total number of reported COVID-19 cases in the district is 1,255.
Twenty-five reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized. Of the 1,255 confirmed cases in the district, 124 (10 percent) have required hospitalization. The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 982 (78 percent). The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 21,605 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 658 statewide deaths.
Ohio County gains six new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today bringing its total confirmed cases to 305. Of those 305 patients, 217 have recovered from the disease. There are currently 88 active confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio County, five more than yesterday. Of those 88, 11 patients have been hospitalized. Over the length of the pandemic, one Ohio Countian has died.
“It is more important now than ever that you use good judgment and follow our recommendations to protect yourself and your family. The virus is still out there. Practice the three “W’s”: wear a mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance,” said Clay Horton, GRDHD Public Health Director. “We encourage anyone who has been in crowds, had close contact with people in public, or traveled recently to get tested.”
COVID-19 Testing
The health department is offering free COVID-19 testing. 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.
Demographics
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 – 95
Male – 49.7 percent
Female – 50.3 percent
COVID-19 Guidance
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.
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. 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 – www.kycovid19.ky.gov. The public can also call the Kentucky COVID-19 hotline at 800-722- 5725.