OWENSBORO, Ky. — Thursday, January 7, 2021, the Green River District Health Department reported 267 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases with 138 in Daviess County, 23 in Hancock County, 38 in Henderson County, 14 in McLean County, 32 in Ohio County, five in Union County and 17 in Webster County. The COVID-19 related deaths were three residents of Daviess County.
- There have been 13,876 reported COVID-19 cases in the district to date.
- The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 10,303 (74 percent).
- 42 reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
- 665 (5 percent) have required hospitalization.
- There have been 245 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
- The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 286,541 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 2,806 statewide deaths.
Ohio County continues to pick up new confirmed COVID-19 cases at a frightening rate with 32 new cases added to its total today. Ohio County has had a total of 1,674 confirmed COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic with 1,235 of those patients having recovered. Ohio County now has 439 active confirmed COVID-10 cases, which is 15 more than Wednesday’s report.
Of the 349 active confirmed cases, three Ohio Countians are hospitalized. Sadly, 32 Ohio Countians have died due to COVID-19 related complications.
Ohio County Schools gained two new confirmed COVID-19 cases since yesterday’s report. OC Schools has had a total of 100 confirmed COVID-19 cases since the start of school. Of those 100 cases, 77 patients have recovered with 44 of those recoveries being staff members and 33 being students. Of the student recoveries, 30 were in-person learning students and three were remote/virtual learning students.
At this time, OC Schools has 23 active confirmed COVID-19 cases with 13 of those cases being staff members and 10 of the cases being students. Of the staff member active cases, two are from Beaver Dam Elementary, two are from Fordsville Elementary, two are from Ohio County High School, one is from Ohio County Middle School, one is from Southern Elementary and five are district staff.
Of the 10 student active cases, one is from Beaver Dam Elementary, one is from Fordsville Elementary, five are from OCHS, one is from OCMS and two are from Wayland Elementary.
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.
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.