OWENSBORO, Ky. — Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, the Green River District Health Department reported 123 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases with 21 in Daviess County, three in Hancock County, 69 in Henderson County, two in McLean County, eight in Ohio County, 16 in Union County and four in Webster County. The COVID-19 related death was a resident of Henderson County. Last week, Green River District saw an additional 1,132 reported COVID-19 cases. The past week also saw 18 COVID-19 related deaths in the seven-county region.
- There have been 9,490 reported COVID-19 cases in the district to date.
- The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 7,061 (74 percent).
- 48 reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
- 540 (6 percent) have required hospitalization.
- There have been 163 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
- The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 200,632 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 2,072 statewide deaths.
After the worst week of the pandemic for Ohio County, in which the county gained 223 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and had two Ohio Countians die from COVID-19 related complications, today the GRDHD reports only eight new confirmed COVID-19 cases for Ohio County. It’s still eight cases too many, but it’s much better than last week’s daily case amounts. However, we can’t be too quick to celebrate because many weeks in the past Monday was the lowest day for new cases. Who knows what the rest of the week holds for new cases?
With today’s eight new cases, the total confirmed COVID-19 cases for Ohio County stands at 1,184 with 815 of those patients having recovered or died. Even with the lower new case total, Ohio County gained five active cases since Saturday’s report, bringing its total amount of active confirmed COVID-19 cases to 369. Of those patients, 11 are hospitalized. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 76 Ohio Countians have been hospitalized and 18 Ohio Countians have died since the beginning of the pandemic.
Ohio County Schools has added a new confirmed COVID-19 case since Saturday’s report. This brings OC Schools’ total COVID-19 cases to 59. Of the 59 total cases, 42 have recovered, with 23 of those patients being staff members and 19 of the being students. Of the student recoveries, 16 students were in-person learning and three were remote-virtual learning.
There are currently 17 active cases in OC Schools, with 10 being staff members and seven being students. Of the staff member active cases, one is from Beaver Dam Elementary, four are from Ohio County High School, four are from Wayland Elementary and one is a district staff member.
Of the seven student active cases, one is from Beaver Dam Elementary, one is from Frodsville Elementary, one is from OCHS, one is from Ohio County Middle School, one is from Southern Elementary and two are from Wayland Elementary. All the confirmed COVID-19 student cases are in-person learning.
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.