OWENSBORO, Ky. — Friday, September 4, 2020, the Green River District Health Department reported 48 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases with 15 in Daviess County, one in Hancock County, eight in Henderson County, four in McLean County, two in Ohio County, 15 in Union County and three in Webster County. The last two days have been the highest on record for the seven-county region since the beginning of the pandemic. The total number of reported COVID-19 cases in the district is now 2,362.
- Fifteen reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
- 191 (8 percent) have required hospitalization.
- There have been 30 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
- The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 1,908 (81 percent).
- The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 50,885 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 976 statewide deaths.
While the Green River District as a whole has had a rough couple of days, Ohio County has done better this week than last week, after receiving two new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. For the week, Ohio County has gained a total of 6 confirmed COVID-19 cases, which is better than last week’s 23 new confirmed cases.
Ohio County’s total confirmed cases of COVID-19 stands at 423 with 369 of those patients having recovered from the disease. At this time, Ohio County has 54 active confirmed cases with one of those patients in the hospital.
COVID-19 Testing
The health department is offering free COVID-19 testing. We encourage anyone who has been in crowds, had close contact with people in public, or traveled recently to get tested. 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.
Average Age: 42
Age Range: 6 months to 95 years old
Female: 51.9 percent
Male: 48.1 percent
COVID-19 Guidance
“We want to remind people to protect themselves and those around them. Stay safe and healthy over the holiday weekend. Continue to practice the three ‘W’s:’ wear a mask, wash your hands and watch your distance,” said Clay Horton, GRDHD Public Health Director. “This is important in private get together settings with friends and family, when interacting with coworkers, and in social settings like weddings. Keep any gatherings small and outside to reduce the risk of transmission. Avoid sharing items with anyone outside of your household since this can promote the spread of the virus. Leaders of organizations like churches, team coaches and workplace supervisors are encouraged to lead by example and make wise decisions to protect those for whom you are responsible.”
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.