OWENSBORO, Ky. — Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020, the Green River District Health Department reported 129 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases with 69 in Daviess County, four in Hancock County, 21 in Henderson County, seven in McLean County, 19 in Ohio County, three in Union County, and six in Webster County. The COVID-19 related deaths were 3 residents of Daviess County, 1 resident of Hancock County, 1 resident of Henderson County, and 1 resident of Webster County.
- There have been 9,794 reported COVID-19 cases in the district to date.
- The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 7,310 (75 percent).
- 42 reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
- 551 (6 percent) have required hospitalization.
- There have been 180 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
- The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 205,668 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 2,102 statewide deaths.
Ohio County adds 19 new confirmed COVID-19 cases to its total. To date, Ohio County’s total confirmed COVID-19 cases stands at 1,228 with 855 of those cases having recovered or died.
Ohio County has 373 active confirmed COVID-19 cases with nine of those patients in the hospital. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 79 Ohio Countians have been hospitalized and, sadly, 21 Ohio Countians died due to COVID-19 related complications.
Ohio County Schools has added four new confirmed COVID-19 cases since yesterday’s report. OC Schools has had a total of 63 confirmed COVID-19 cases since the school year started. Of those 63 cases, there are 19 active cases and 44 recovered cases. Of the active cases, nine are staff members and 10 are students.
Of the nine active COVID-19 cases among staff members, one is from Beaver Dam Elementary, three are from Ohio County High School, four are from Wayland Elementary and one is a district staff member.
Of the 10 student active COVID-19 cases, two are from Beaver Dam Elementary, one is from Frodsville Elementary, two are from OCHS, one is from Ohio County Middle School, one is from Southern Elementary, two is from Wayland Elementary and one is from Western Elementary. All student cases are in-person learning students.
Of the 44 recovered cases, 25 are staff members and 19 are students, with 16 of those students in-person learning and three of those students remote/virtual 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: 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.