OWENSBORO, Ky. — Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, the Green River District Health Department reported 282 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases with 163 in Daviess County, eight in Hancock County, 69 in Henderson County, three in McLean County, 16 in Ohio County, 16 in Union County and seven in Webster County. The COVID-19 related deaths were both residents of Daviess County.
- There have been 11,186 reported COVID-19 cases in the district to date.
- The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 8,335 (74.5 percent).
- 52 reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
- 586 (5 percent) have required hospitalization.
- There have been 203 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
- The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 234,021 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 2,316 statewide deaths.
Ohio County adds another 16 new confirmed cases to its total COVID-19 cases. Ohio County has had a total of 1,373 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 1,041 patients having recovered or died. Ohio County currently has 332 confirmed active cases.
While 332 active COVID-19 cases aren’t good, it’s 28 cases less than yesterday’s report. Of the 332 active cases, nine patients are hospitalized. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 84 Ohio Countians have been hospitalized due to COVID-19 complications and 27 Ohio Countians have died due to COVID-19 complications.
Ohio County Schools added two new confirmed COVID-19 cases to its total cases, as well as three recoveries since yesterday’s report. OC Schools has had a total of 71 confirmed COVID-19 cases since school started. Of those 71 total cases, 62 have recovered, with 33 of those recoveries being staff members and 29 of those recoveries being students. Of the student recoveries, three were remote/virtual learning students and 26 were in-person learning students.
Of the nine active COVID-19 cases, six are staff members and three are students. Of the staff member cases, one is from OHio County High School, four are from Ohio County Middle School and one is from Wayland Elementary. Of the student cases, one is from OCHS, one is from OCMS and one is from the Render Center. All three students are in-person learning students.
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.