OWENSBORO, Ky. — Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020, the Green River District Health Department reported 54 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases with 10 in Daviess County, three in Hancock County, 24 in Henderson County, two in McLean County, two in Ohio County, seven in Union County and six in Webster County. The total number of reported COVID-19 cases in the district is now 4,257. The COVID-19 related deaths were a resident of Henderson County and a resident of Webster County.
- 35 reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
- 321 (7.5 percent) have required hospitalization.
- There have been 67 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
- The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 3,389 (80 percent).
- The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 81,691 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1,269 statewide deaths.
With two new confirmed cases today, Ohio County continues to add to its total amount of COVID-19 cases, though today’s addition is much better than yesterday’s. Ohio County now has a total of 551 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 462 of those patients having recovered. Ohio County has 89 active confirmed COVID-19 and four of those Ohio Countians are in the hospital. One more patient has been hospitalized since yesterday’s report. A total of 38 Ohio Countians have been hospitalized since the beginning of the pandemic.
Since Tuesday’s report, Ohio County Schools has added another confirmed COVID-19 case, this time a Wayland Elementary student who is learning remotely and not in-person. This brings the schools’ total confirmed COVID-19 cases to 12 since school started. There are currently five active cases associated with the schools, three of whom are staff members and two of whom are students.
There is a staff member from the Ohio County High School, Ohio County Middle School and Beaver Dam Elementary with COVID-19 and a student from the Ohio County High School, along with the remote learning student, who have COVID-19.
There have been four staff and four students who have recovered from the disease.
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.