OWENSBORO, Ky. — Monday, December 14, 2020, the Green River District Health Department reported 73 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases with 30 in Daviess County, 22 in Henderson County, five in McLean County, four in Ohio County, 10 in Union County and two in Webster County.
- There have been 10,367 reported COVID-19 cases in the district to date.
- The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 7,783 (75 percent).
- 47 reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
- 570 (5 percent) have required hospitalization.
- There have been 195 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
- The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 223,104 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 2,207 statewide deaths.
After averaging around 22 new confirmed cases per day this month, the GRDHD is reporting just 4 new confirmed COVID-19 cases for Ohio County today. With today’s new confirmed cases, Ohio County has had a total of 1,303 confirmed COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic. Of those cases, 922 patients have recovered or died. There are currently 381 active confirmed cases in OHio County with 12 of those patients being hospitalized. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 83 Ohio Countians have been hospitalized with COVID-19 complications and 24 Ohio Countians have lost their lives due to COVID-19 complications.
Over the weekend, Ohio County Schools gained a new confirmed COVID-19 case, but have had eight patients recover from the disease. OC Schools has had 66 total confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 56 of those patients having recovered. There are now 10 active COVID-19 cases in OC Schools.
Of the 56 recovered COVID-19 patients in OC Schools, 29 were staff members and 27 were students. Of the student COVID-19 recoveries, 24 were in-person learning students and three were remote/virtual learning students.
Of the current 10 active COVID-19 cases in OC Schools, five are staff members and five are students. The five staff member cases consist of one Beaver Dam Elementary and four Wayland Elementary.
Of the five active student cases, one is from Beaver Dam Elementary, one is from Ohio County High School, one is from OHio County Middle School, one is from the Render Center and one is from Western Elementary.
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.