OWENSBORO, Ky. — After three Ohio Countians died to COVID-19 complications according to yesterday’s report from the Green River District Health Department, today’s report includes the death of another Ohio County resident. Ohio County also added another 17 new confirmed cases to its total.
Today, Dec. 11, 2020, the GRDHD reported 136 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases with 68 in Daviess County, five in Hancock County, 26 in Henderson County, six in McLean County, 17 in Ohio County, eight in Union County and six in Webster County.
In addition to the COVID-19 death in Ohio County, the GRDHD reported the death of a Daviess County resident, a Union County resident and a resident of Webster County.
- There have been 10,117 reported COVID-19 cases in the district to date.
- The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 7,539 (74.5 percent).
- 44 reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
- 560 (5.5 percent) have required hospitalization.
- There have been 190 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
- The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 213,450 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 2,146 statewide deaths.
With today’s 17 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, Ohio County’s total cases stands at 1,275 with 882 of those patients having recovered or died. Ohio County now has 393 active confirmed COVID-19 cases having added two more today. Of those 393 active cases, 12 Ohio Countians are hospitalized. With today’s death, 24 Ohio Countians have died since the beginning of the pandemic.
Ohio County Schools has added one new confirmed COVID-19 case since yesterday’s report. OC Schools has had a total of 65 confirmed COVID-19 cases since school started. Of those 65 cases, 48 have recovered with 27 of those recoveries being staff members and 21 being students. Of the student recoveries, 18 were in-person students and three were remote/virutal students.
OC Schools has 17 confirmed active COVID-19 cases with seven being staff members and 10 being students. Of the staff member cases, one is from Beaver Dam Elementary, one is from Ohio County High School, four are from Wayland Elementary and one is district staff.
Of the 10 student cases, two are from Beaver Dam Elementary, one is from Fordsville Elementary, one is from OCHS, one is from Ohio County Middle School, one is from the Render Center, one is from Southern Elementary, two are from Wayland Elementary and one is from Western Elementary. All active confirmed student COVID-19 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.