OWENSBORO, Ky. — The Green River District Health Department is reporting two more Ohio County residents have died from COVID-19. This brings the total COVID-19 deaths in Ohio County to five. This is the second day the GRDHD reported the deaths of two Ohio County COVID-19 patients. The first COVID-19 death for Ohio County was reported July 14.
In addition to the two deaths, Ohio County picked up six new confirmed COVID-19 cases. This brings the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ohio County up to 326. Of those 326 patients, 249 have recovered, leaving Ohio County with 77 active confirmed cases of COVID-19. Of those cases, seven are currently hospitalized. Ohio County has had 21 COVID-19 patients hospitalized over the course of the pandemic.
The GRDHD today reported 14 confirmed COVID-19 cases in other counties in the district. There were four new cases in Daviess County, eight new cases in Henderson County, one new case in McLean County and one new case in Webster County. The total number of reported COVID-19 cases in the district is 1,382.
Besides Ohio County’s seven hospitalizations for COVID-19, 15 other patients throughout the district are also currently hospitalized. Of the 1,382 confirmed cases in the district, 125 (9 percent) have required hospitalization. The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 1,101 (80 percent). The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 25,147 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 684 statewide deaths.
“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 – 49.6 percent
Female – 50.4 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.