OWENSBORO, Ky. — Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, the Green River District Health Department reported 137 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases with 92 in Daviess County, seven in Hancock County, 12 in Henderson County, five in McLean County, 14 in Ohio County, five in Union County and two in Webster County.
- There have been 7,286 reported COVID-19 cases in the district to date.
- The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 5,700 (78 percent).
- 54 reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
- 476 (6.5 percent) have required hospitalization.
- There have been 126 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
- The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 148,390 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1,742 statewide deaths.
Ohio County, again, has a bad day when it comes to new COVID-19 cases as it adds 14 new confirmed cases to its total. Since the start of the pandemic, Ohio County has had 840 total confirmed COVID-19 cases with 679 of those patients having recovered or passed away.
Currently, Ohio County has 161 active confirmed COVID-19 cases. Of those active cases, six are hospitalized. Since the start of the pandemic, 60 OHio Countians have been hospitalized and 14 have died due to COVID-19 related issues.
Ohio County Judge-Executive provided a COVID-19 update today from his office. During the update, he announced Fifth District Magistrate Larry Morphew and his wife both had tested positive for COVID-19 and were in quarantine. To read more about Johnston’s update, click here.
In Ohio County Schools, another in-person student at the Ohio County High School has tested positive for COVID-19. There were already two in-person students from OCHS who had COVID-19. An in-person student at Ohio County Middle School has also tested positive for COVID-19. In addition to the students who have recently tested positive, a staff member at Horse Branch Elementary also tested positive for COVID-19.
In total, OC Schools has six active COVID-19 cases four students and two staff members. Besides the new confirmed case at Horse Branch Elementary, the other staff member with COVID-19 is from OCHS.
There is some good news as a district staff member with COVID-19 in yesterday’s report has recovered. In total, OC Schools has had 28 confirmed COVID-19 cases since school started. Of those 28 patients, 22 have recovered with 14 of them being staff members and eight being students. Of the student recoveries, one was a remote/virtual student, the others were in-person students.
Schools Superintendent Seth Southard has announced that OC Schools will stop in-person learning at school as Governor Andy Beshear ordered. Beginning Monday, Nov. 23, all students will begin remote/virtual learning. To read further instructions from Southard for students and parents, click here.
Also, beginning Monday, Nov. 23, the schools’ Feeding Program will begin delivering meals by bus to students. For more information on where to meet the buses to pick up the meals, click here.
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: 44.8 percent
Female: 55.2 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 crucial when interacting with anyone outside of your household, including friends, extended family, coworkers and in public settings. Do not host or attend gatherings of any kind. 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 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.