OWENSBORO, Ky. — Ohio County continues its exponential rise in new confirmed COVID-19 cases, but even more frightening, Ohio Countians continue to die from COVID-19 related complications.
Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020, the Green River District Health Department reported 175 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases with 105 in Daviess County, three in Hancock County, 18 in Henderson County, four in McLean County, 32 in Ohio County, 10 in Union County, and three in Webster County.
The COVID-19 related deaths were five residents of Daviess County, one resident of Henderson County, two residents of McLean County, and one resident of Ohio County.
- There have been 8,533 reported COVID-19 cases in the district to date.
- The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 6,668 (78 percent).
- 54 reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
- 514 (6 percent) have required hospitalization.
- There have been 154 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
- The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 179,041 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1,908 statewide deaths.
Ohio County continues to add a large number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases per day. After adding 33 new cases yesterday and another 32 new confirmed cases today, Ohio County is well on its way to surpassing last week’s total confirmed new cases of 95.
With today’s 32 new confirmed cases, Ohio County has topped 1,000 total confirmed COVID-19 cases, as the total stands at 1,018. Of those cases, 760 patients have recovered or died. Ohio County has 258 active confirmed COVID-19 cases. Of those active cases, 10 Ohio Countians are hospitalized.
With today’s death, Ohio County has now lost 17 Ohio Countians to COVID-19 related complications.
Since yesterday’s report, Ohio County Schools has added five new confirmed cases bringing its total confirmed COVID-19 cases to 45. OC Schools added two new cases yesterday.
Of the, now, 45 total cases in OC Schools, 32 have recovered with 16 of those recoveries being staff members and 16 being student recoveries. Of the student recovered cases, 15 were in-person students and one was a virtual/remote student.
The 13 active cases are a mix of 10 staff members and three students. The 10 staff members cases consist of two cases in Horse Branch Elementary, three cases in Ohio County High School, one case in Wayland Elementary, one case in Western Elementary and three district staff members.
Of the 3 student cases, one is an in-person student at OCHS and the other two are remote students, one from OCHS and one from Ohio County Middle School.
All OC Schools’ students are learning remotely until Jan. 4, 2020, per Governor Andy Beshear’s requirements.
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. It may take longer to receive test results during the holidays. The lab will be closed for processing Dec. 24-25 and Dec. 31.
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.