OWENSBORO, Ky. — Ohio County has lost three more residents to COVID-19 complications, according to today’s report from the Green River District Health Department. With today’s deaths, Ohio County has had a total of 21 residents die from COVID-19 issues since the beginning of the pandemic.
In addition to the sad and horrible news that three Ohio Countians have died, the GRDHD reports another 25 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since Monday’s report. Ohio County now has a total of 1,209 confirmed COVID-19 cases to go along with 21 deaths. Of those 1,209 total cases, 828 have recovered or died.
Ohio County has 381 active COVID-19 cases, which is 12 more active cases since yesterday’s report. Of those active cases, 10 patients are hospitalized with a total of 78 having been hospitalized since the beginning of the pandemic.
The GRDHD today reported a total of 175 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases district-wide with 111 in Daviess County, four in Hancock County, 18 in Henderson County, seven in McLean County, 25 in Ohio County, four in Union County and six in Webster County. Including the three deaths in Ohio County, the GRDHD reported eight COVID-19 related deaths in Daviess County.
- There have been 9,665 reported COVID-19 cases in the district to date.
- The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 7,170 (74 percent).
- 47 reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
- 550 (6 percent) have required hospitalization.
- There have been 174 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
- The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 202,592 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 2,082 statewide deaths.
Ohio County Schools did not add a new confirmed case since yesterday’s report, but it did have a recovery. OC Schools still has 59 total cases with 43 of those patients having recovered. Of the recovered cases, 24 were staff members and 19 were students, with 16 of the student cases being in-person learning students and three of the student cases being remote/virtual students.
There are 16 active COVID-19 cases in OC Schools with nine being staff members and seven being students. The staff member cases consist of one Beaver Dam Elementary staff member, four Ohio County High School staff members, three Wayland Elementary staff members and one district staff member.
Of the active cases among students, one is from Beaver Dam Elementary, one is from Fordsville Elementary, one is from OCHS, one is from Ohio County Middle School, one is from Southern Elementary and two from Wayland Elementary. All active student cases are in-person learning students.
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.