OWENSBORO, Ky. — In today’s report from the Green River District Health Department, Ohio County continues to add to its death toll as another Ohio Countian has died due to COVID-19 complications. Since the start of the pandemic, 33 Ohio Countians have died due to COVID-19 complications.
Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, the GRDHD reported 239 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases with 135 in Daviess County, 16 in Hancock County, 39 in Henderson County, nine in McLean County, 11 in Ohio County, 13 in Union County and 16 in Webster County. In addition to the death of an Ohio Countian, there were four more COVID-19 related deaths in the district. The other deaths were a resident of Daviess County, a resident of Hancock County, a resident of Henderson County and a resident of McLean County.
- There have been 14,115 reported COVID-19 cases in the district to date.
- The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 10,368 (73 percent).
- 42 reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
- 669 (5 percent) have required hospitalization.
- There have been 250 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
- The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 291,430 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 2,843 statewide deaths.
With today’s 11 new confirmed cases, Ohio County’s COVID-19 case total stands at 1,685 with 1,244 of those patients having recovered or died. Currently, Ohio County has 441 active confirmed COVID-19 cases. Of those cases, four Ohio Countians are hospitalized.
Ohio County Schools gained four new confirmed COVID-19 cases since yesterday’s report. OC Schools has had a total of 104 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 78 of those patients having recovered. Of the recovered patients, 45 were staff members and 33 were students. Of the 33 students, 30 were in-person learning students and 3 were remote/virtual learning students.
Of the current 26 active COVID-19 cases, 15 are staff members and 11 are students. Of the 15 staff members 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 seven are staff members.
Of the 11 student active cases, two are from Beaver Dam Elementary, one is from Fordsville Elementary, five are from OCHS, one is from OCMS and two are from Wayland Elementary. All active 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.
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.