OWENSBORO, Ky. — Monday, Nov. 23, 2020, the Green River District Health Department reported 131 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases with 79 in Daviess County, three in Hancock County, 23 in Henderson County, three in McLean County, eight in Ohio County, seven in Union County and eight in Webster County.
The COVID- 19 related deaths were a resident of McLean County and a resident of Webster County. Last week, Green River District saw an additional 903 reported COVID-19 cases. The past week also saw 20 COVID- 19 related deaths in the seven-county region.
- There have been 7,558 reported COVID-19 cases in the district to date.
- The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 5,943 (79 percent).
- 55 reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
- 485 (6 percent) have required hospitalization.
- There have been 129 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
- The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 158,100 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1,787 statewide deaths.
Ohio County begins another week of the pandemic by picking up eight new confirmed COVID-19 cases. Just over a month ago eight new cases would seem like a lot, and it is, but after the last two weeks, eight cases is a bit of a relief. Though we’ll see what tomorrow and the rest of the week brings.
With today’s eight cases, Ohio County’s total cases stands at 866 with 693 of those patients having recovered or died. Ohio County has 173 active confirmed cases with six of those patients being hospitalized. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 60 Ohio Countians have been hospitalized and 15 Ohio Countians have died due to COVID-19 related complications.
In Ohio County Schools, since Saturday’s report, the number of active cases has doubled. Saturday, OC Schools had six active cases, four students and two staff members. The student cases were three students from Ohio County High School and one student from Ohio County Middle School. All students were in-class students. Saturday’s staff member COVID-19 cases consisted of a staff member at Horse Branch Elementary and a staff member at OCHS.
Since Saturday, another in-person student from OCHS has tested positive for COVID-19 and five staff members have tested positive for COVID-19. The new staff member cases are one at Horse Branch Elementary, one at OCHS, one at Wayland Elementary, one at Western Elementary and one district staff member.
With the new cases, OC Schools has a total of 12 active cases which brings the total cases since school started to 34. Of those 34 cases, 22 patients have recovered. Of the 34 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 21 were staff members and 13 were students. Of the student cases, only one was a remote/virtual student. The other students were in-person students.
Beginning today, OC Schools students will all be learning remotely through Jan. 3, 2021, as per the recommendation of Governor Andy Beshear.
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 102 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 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.
