OWENSBORO, Ky. — Two more Ohio County residents have died due to COVID-19 complications, according to today’s report from the Green River District Health Department. The GRDHD has reported the deaths of three Ohio Countians in five days. Ohio County has now had 14 residents die due to COVID-19.
In addition to losing two residents, the GRDHD reported Ohio County added 23 new confirmed cases to its total cases since the start of the pandemic. Ohio County has had 801 total COVID-19 cases, with 641 of those patients having recovered or died.
Currently, Ohio County has 160 active confirmed COVID-19 cases. Of those cases, three Ohio Countians are hospitalized. Since the start of the pandemic, 56 Ohio Countians have been hospitalized.
Though it’s no excuse, Ohio County isn’t the only county in the Green River District struggling to contain COVID-19 as the GRDHD reported a total of 214 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases in the region with 88 in Daviess County, 13 in Hancock County, 41 in Henderson County, 13 in McLean County, 23 in Ohio County, 17 in Union County, and 19 in Webster County.
There were a total of 13 deaths reported in the district today, the deaths were five residents of Daviess County, two residents of Hancock County, one resident of Henderson County, two residents of McLean County, two residents of Ohio County and one resident of Webster County.
This is the largest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in a single day for the seven-county region, surpassing the Nov. 13, 2020, report of 156 new cases.
- There have been 6,869 reported COVID-19 cases in the district to date.
- The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 5,399 (80 percent).
- 44 reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
- 455 (7 percent) have required hospitalization.
- There have been 122 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
- The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 139,097 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1,664 statewide deaths.
Ohio County Schools now has three confirmed COVID-19 cases, two of which are district staff and one is a student at Ohio County High School.
OC Schools has had a total of 23 confirmed COVID-19 cases since the start of school. In yesterday’s report, there were 22 total confirmed cases. It seems there were three recoveries from yesterday’s report and one new confirmed case. Of the 23 total cases, 20 have recovered from the disease, 12 staff members and eight students.
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, including the high dose vaccine for those 65 years of age and older, can also be scheduled on our website or by calling your county health department for an appointment.
Demographics
The cases being reported from the Green River District Health Department are being investigated and confirmed locally. These cases are then reported to the Kentucky Department for Public Health.
Average Age: 45
Age Range: 1 month to 100 years old
Male: 44.9 percent
Female: 55.1 percent
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 healthcare 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.