OWENSBORO, Ky. — Friday, Oct. 9, 2020, the Green River District Health Department reported 75 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases with 23 in Daviess County, 23 in Henderson County, two in McLean County, four in Ohio County, six in Union County and 17 in Webster County. The total number of reported COVID-19 cases in the district is now 3,973. Three of the COVID-19 related deaths were residents of Daviess County and three were residents of Henderson County.
- 27 reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
- 293 (7 percent) have required hospitalization.
- There have been 52 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
- The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 3,114 (78 percent).
- The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 77,455 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1,234 statewide deaths.
Ohio County picks up another four confirmed cases of COVID-19 today to add to its total of 522 since the pandemic began. Of those 522 cases, 445 patients have recovered and one patient is hospitalized. There are now 77 active confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio County.
Ohio County Schools has another confirmed COVID-19 case. OC Schools now have four active confirmed cases, all staff members, one in Beaver Dam Elementary, two in the Ohio County Middle School and one in the Ohio County High School. OC Schools has had a total of 10 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since school began with six of those patients having recovered. Four of the 10 cases were students, all of whom have recovered.
Ohio County Judge-Executive David Johnston provided the county with an update today and he was very concerned with the “surge” in COVID-19 cases.
“We’re at an all-time high. We’re seeing a surge like never before of COVID-19,” Johnston said. “We have 77 active cases in our county and that’s a lot.”
Johnston asked the citizens of Ohio County to follow the guidelines presented by health officials.
“We don’t want our economy and everything to shut down again. Wear your mask, wash your hands and watch your distance. Stay away from people,” Johnston urged Ohio Countians. “Try to go on with life, but be careful.”
Johnston asked all businesses to require customers to wear a mask or face possible second shutdown.
“Our Governor (Andy Beshear) has asked for (requiring masks to be worn in businesses) over and over,” Johnston said. (Gov. Beshear) spoke to us early in the week and we really are getting to the point that if we don’t bring these numbers down, something will have to be done again. We sure don’t want that.”
Johnston also asked people to get a flu shot.
“With this pandemic of COVID-19 going on, we sure don’t need an outbreak of the flu as well,” Johnston said. “Everyone, please, get your flu shot.”
COVID-19 Testing & Flu Shots
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. Flu shots can also be scheduled on our website or by calling your county health department for an appointment.
COVID-19 Guidance
“We want to remind people to protect themselves and those around them. 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.