OWENSBORO, Ky. — Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, the Green River District Health Department reported 248 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases with 129 in Daviess County, 11 in Hancock County, 46 in Henderson County, 12 in McLean County, 25 in Ohio County, 9 in Union County, and 16 in Webster County.
- There have been 13,419 reported COVID-19 cases in the district to date.
- The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 10,103 (75 percent).
- 45 reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
- 657 (5 percent) have required hospitalization.
- There have been 235 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
- The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 279,143 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 2,749 statewide deaths.
Ohio County added 25 new confirmed COVID-19 cases to its total today bringing its two-day total new cases to 89. With today’s added confirmed cases, Ohio County has had a total of 1,594 cases since the start of the pandemic. Of those cases, 1,208 patients have recovered or died.
Ohio County has 386 active confirmed COVID-19 cases with four of those patients having been hospitalized. Since the start of the pandemic, 30 Ohio Countians have died due to COVID-19 related complications.
Since yesterday’s report, Ohio County Schools has added another confirmed COVID-19 case, bringing its total cases to 90. Of those 90 cases, 76 patients have recovered. Of the 76 recoveries, 43 were staff members and 33 were students. Of the students, 30 were in-person learning students and three were remote/virtual learning students.
Of the 14 active confirmed COVID-19 cases, 10 are staff members and four are students. The staff member confirmed cases are comprised of one Beaver Dam Elementary staff member, one Fordsville Elementary staff member, three OhioCounty High School staff members, one Ohio County Middle School staff member and four district staff members.
Of the four student confirmed cases, three are from OCHS and one is from OCMS. All 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.
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.
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.