OWENSBORO, Ky. — Three more Ohio Countians have died due to COVID-19 related complications, according to the Green River District Health Department. These new deaths bring Ohio County’s COVID-19 death toll to 30. In addition to losing three residents, Ohio County also gains 26 new confirmed COVID-19 cases today. Today’s report is not what the county or the district needs going into the Christmas holiday.
Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, the GRDHD reported 203 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases with 109 in Daviess County, six in Hancock County, 42 in Henderson County, four in McLean County, 26 in Ohio County, 12 in Union County and four in Webster County. Webster County lost 2 residents due to COVID-19 related complications.
Last week, Green River District saw an additional 1,053 reported COVID-19 cases. The past week also saw nine COVID-19 related deaths in the seven-county region. Ohio County has had six deaths since Dec. 14.
- There have been 11,623 reported COVID-19 cases in the district to date.
- The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 8,578 (74 percent).
- 37 reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
- 622 (5 percent) have required hospitalization.
- There have been 208 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
- The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 244,297 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 2,412 statewide deaths.
With Ohio County’s 26 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, its total confirmed cases since the beginning of the pandemic now stands at 1,409. Of those total cases, 1.072 have recovered or died. Ohio County currently has 337 active confirmed COVID-19 cases, that’s 18 more active cases than yesterday’s report. Of the active cases, just one patient is hospitalized, which is good news. In total, 85 people have been hospitalized since the beginning of the pandemic. Again, 30 Ohio Countians have died due to COVID-19 related complications.
There has been no change from yesterday’s COVID-19 report for Ohio County Schools.
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
Female: 55 percent
Male: 45 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.