OWENSBORO, Ky. — Ohio County continues to lose residents to COVID-19 as today the Green River District Health Department reports another Ohio Countian has died due to COVID-19 related complications. Since the pandemic began, 16 Ohio Countians have died. In addition to losing a 16th resident, Ohio County gained 33 new confirmed COVID-19 cases today.
Including Ohio County’s 33 new cases, the GRDHD reported 171 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases with 92 in Daviess County, six in Hancock County, 29 in Henderson County, six in McLean County, two in Union County and three in Webster County. The COVID-19 related deaths in addition to Ohio County’s one, were three residents of Daviess County, three residents of Henderson County and two residents of McLean County.
- There have been 7,858 reported COVID-19 cases in the district to date.
- The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 6,188 (79 percent).
- 54 reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
- 497 (6 percent) have required hospitalization.
- There have been 143 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
- The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 162,838 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1,809 statewide deaths.
With today’s 33 new confirmed cases, Ohio County has had a total of 919 confirmed COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic. Of those cases, 709 patients have recovered or died. Ohio County currently has 210 active confirmed COVID-19 cases. Of the active cases, seven are hospitalized and 63 Ohio Countians have been hospitalized during the pandemic.
Ohio County Schools, which currently has all students learning remotely until at least Jan. 4, 2021, has added a new confirmed COVID-19 case since yesterday’s report. The new case is a remote/virtual student from Ohio County Middle School. With today’s new case, OC Schools has had a total of 38 confirmed cases since school started.
Of those 38 cases, 24 patients have recovered, leaving 14 active confirmed cases. Of the recovered cases, 14 were staff and 10 were students. Of the student recoveries, nine were in-person students and one was a remote/virtual student.
The 14 active cases are made up of eight staff members and six students. The eight staff members are spread out among several schools with two from Horse Branch Elementary, two from Ohio County High School, one from Wayland Elementary, one from Western Elementary and two are district staff.
Of the student active cases, five are in-class students and one is a remote/virtual student named in today’s report. The five in-calls student cases include four from OCHS and one from OCMS.
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: 45 percent
Female: 55 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.