OWENSBORO, Ky. — Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020, the Green River District Health Department reported 228 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases with 78 in Daviess County, seven in Hancock County, 42 in Henderson County, 5 in McLean County, 79 in Ohio County, 6 in Union County and 11 in Webster County. The COVID-19 related deaths were 2 residents of Union County.
This is the largest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in a single day for the seven-county region, surpassing the Nov. 17, 2020, report of 214 new cases. In November, Green River District reported 3,164 (37 percent) of the confirmed COVID-19 cases and 60 (39 percent) of the COVID-19 related deaths for our seven-county area since the beginning of the pandemic.
- There have been 8,946 reported COVID-19 cases in the district to date.
- The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 6,832 (78 percent).
- 47 reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
- 528 (6 percent) have required hospitalization.
- There have been 158 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
- The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 186,765 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1,980 statewide deaths.
As far as new confirmed COVID-19 cases, today is by far the worst day for Ohio County since the beginning of the pandemic. The GRDHD is reporting 79 new confirmed COVID-19 cases today for the county. Even Daviess County couldn’t top that today.
With the 79 new confirmed cases, Ohio County has had a total of 1,112 cases with 785 of those patients having recovered or died. Yesterday Ohio County had 263 active confirmed COVID-19 cases and today, there are 327 active COVID-19 cases. There are 13 OHio Countians hospitalized with COVID-19 complications and 17 Ohio Countians have died due to COVID-19 complications.
Ohio County Schools also added two new cases since yesterday’s report. OC Schools now has had a total of 50 confirmed COVID-19 cases since school started.
Of the 50 confirmed cases, 38 have recovered from the disease, with 21 f the recoveries being staff members and 17 recoveries being students. Of the students’ cases, 15 students were in-person learning and two were remote learning.
The 12 active cases consist of nine staff members and three students. The staff member active cases break down like this, five in Ohio County High School, two at Wayland Elementary and two district staff. Of the student active cases, two are in-person students, one at Fordsville Elementary and one at OCHS, 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: 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.