OWENSBORO, Ky. — Ohio County continues its bleak start to the new year when it comes to COVID-19 by finding out two more Ohio Countians have died due to COVID-19 related complications. Ohio County also picked up 48 new confirmed COVID-19 cases today.
The Green River District Health Department reported 190 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases in the district with 71 in Daviess County, 18 in Hancock County, 31 in Henderson County, seven in McLean County, 48 in Ohio County, two in Union County and 13 in Webster County. There were four total COVID-19 related deaths reported today including a resident of Daviess County and a resident of Henderson County in addition to the two Ohio County deaths.
- There have been 13,609 reported COVID-19 cases in the district to date.
- The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 10,209 (75 percent).
- 44 reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
- 660 (5 percent) have required hospitalization.
- There have been 242 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
- The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 280,836 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 2,772 statewide deaths.
With 48 new confirmed COVID-19 cases today, Ohio County has added 137 cases to its total in three days. Total cases in Ohio County sits at 1,642 with 1,218 of those patients having recovered. With today’s new cases, Ohio County now has 424 active confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Of the 424 active cases, three Ohio Countians are hospitalized. In total, 89 Ohio Countians have been hospitalized since the beginning of the pandemic. With today’s two deaths, 32 Ohio Countians have died due to COVID-19 related complications.
Since Tuesday’s report, Ohio County Schools have added eight new confirmed COVID-19 cases to its total. Since school started, OC Schools has had a total of 98 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Of those 98 total cases, 77 patients have recovered, including 44 staff members and 33 students. Of the student recoveries, 30 were in-person learning students and three were remote/virtual learning students.
Currently, OC Schools has 21 active COVID-19 cases with 12 being staff members and 9 being students. The 12 active staff member cases are comprised of two Beaver Dam Elementary staff members, one Fordsville Elementary staff member, two Oho County High School staff members, one Ohio County Middle School staff member, one Southern Elementary staff member and five district staff members.
Of the active student cases, one is from Beaver Dam Elementary, one is from Fordsville Elementary, four are from OCHS, one is from OCMS and two from Wayland Elementary. All student cases 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.
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: 45.2 percent
Female: 54.8 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.