OWENSBORO, Ky. — Saturday, September 5, 2020, the Green River District Health Department reported 42 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases with 16 in Daviess County, four in Hancock County, nine in Henderson County, two in Ohio County, nine in Union County and two in Webster County. The last three 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 2,404.
- Sixteen reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
- 193 (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 1,991 (83 percent).
- The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 51,677 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 987 statewide deaths.
Ohio County picks up two new confirmed COVID-19 cases today. This brings the county’s total confirmed cases to 425 with 377 of those patients having recovered. There are currently 48 active COVID-19 cases in Ohio County going into the Labor Day weekend. One person is hospitalized due to COVID-19 and 29 total patients have been hospitalized since the beginning of the pandemic. Nine Ohio Countians have died due to COVID-19 related complications.
Ohio County had a total of eight new confirmed cases for the week. Last week Ohio County gained 25 new cases and the week before 17 new cases.
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
Male: 47.9 percent
Female: 52.1 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 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.