OWENSBORO, Ky. — Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020, the Green River District Health Department reported 185 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases with 96 in Daviess County, three in Hancock County, 43 in Henderson County, eight in McLean County, 15 in Ohio County, six in Union County and 14 in Webster County. The COVID-19 related deaths were a resident of Henderson County and a resident of Union County.
- There have been 8,718 reported COVID-19 cases in the district to date.
- The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 6,728 (78 percent).
- 45 reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
- 523 (6 percent) have required hospitalization.
- There have been 156 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
- The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 183,164 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1,943 statewide deaths.
Ohio County gains 15 new confirmed COVID-19 cases today. While that number is not necessarily good news, it is better than the daily new case numbers for Ohio County so far this week. In just three days, Ohio County has gained 80 new confirmed cases.
With today’s new cases, Ohio County has had a total of 1,033 confirmed COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic, with 770 of those patients having recovered. Currently, Ohio County has 263 active confirmed COVID-19 cases.
There are 13 Ohio Countians in the hospital due to COVID-19 complications, the highest number of hospitalizations at one time for COVID-19 since the pandemic began. There have been a total of 74 hospitalizations since the beginning of the pandemic and 17 Ohio Countians have died due to COVID-19 complications.
Ohio County Schools gained three new confirmed COVID-19 cases since yesterday’s report bringing its total confirmed COVID-19 cases to 48. OC Schools have added a total of 10 new cases to its total this week so far.
Of the 48 total cases in OC Schools, 33 of those patients have recovered with 17 of those recoveries being staff members and 16 being students. The student recoveries were made up of 15 in-person students and one remote student.
The 15 active confirmed COVID-19 cases are made up of 12 staff members and three students. The staff member active cases consist of one staff member at Horse Branch Elementary, five staff members at Ohio County High School, two staff members at Wayland Elementary, one staff member at Western Elementary and three district staff members. The three student cases consist of two OCHS students, one an in-person student and the other a remote student, and one remote student from the 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.