OWENSBORO, Ky. — Ohio County continues to lose residents to COVID-19 complications as the Green River District Health Department reports 25 new cases for the county and one COVID-19 related death.
Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021, the GRDHD reported 247 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases with 120 in Daviess County, 14 in Hancock County, 59 in Henderson County, six in McLean County, 25 in Ohio County, 11 in Union County and 12 in Webster County. In addition to the death of an Ohio Countian, a resident of Daviess County also died as a result of COVID-19 complications.
- There have been 14,925 reported COVID-19 cases in the district to date.
- The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 10,720 (72 percent).
- 48 reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
- 684 (5 percent) have required hospitalization.
- There have been 254 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
- The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 305,707 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 2,922 statewide deaths.
With today’s death, Ohio County has lost 34 residents since the beginning of the pandemic, third-most in the district. Ohio County’s total cases has risen to 1,790 with 1,275 of those patients having recovered or died. Ohio County has 515 active confirmed COVID-19 cases, which is 13 more than in yesterday’s report. Of those active cases, four Ohio Countians are hospitalized.
Since yesterday’s report, Ohio County Schools has added six new confirmed COVID-19 cases to its total. Since school started, OC Schools has had 116 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 91 of those patients having recovered. Of the 91 recoveries, 52 were staff members and 39 were students. Of the 39 student recoveries, 36 were in-person learning students and three were remote/virtual learning students.
OC Schools currently has 25 active confirmed COVID-19 cases with 12 of those patients being staff members and 13 being students. Of the 12 staff member cases, two are from Fordsville Elementary, one is from Ohio County Middle School, three are from Southern Elementary, one is from Wayland Elementary and five are district staff members.
Of the 13 student active cases, two are from Beaver Dam Elementary, one is from Fordsville Elementary, six are from Ohio County High School, one is from OCMS and three are from Wayland Elementary. All of the student active 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: 45.1 percent
Female: 54.9 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.