GRDHD reports 217 new COVID-19 cases, 2 deaths; 31 new cases in Ohio County

In Local, News by OC Monitor Staff

OWENSBORO, Ky. — Friday, January 15, 2021, the Green River District Health Department reported 217 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases with 98 in Daviess County, 15 in Hancock County, 43 in Henderson County, seven in McLean County, 31 in Ohio County, 17 in Union County and six in Webster County. The COVID-19 related deaths were residents of Daviess County.

  • There have been 15,565 reported COVID-19 cases in the district to date.
  • The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 11,427 (73 percent).
  • 47 reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
  • 698 (4 percent) have required hospitalization.
  • There have been 263 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
  • The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 317,345 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 3,042 statewide deaths.

Ohio County added 31 new confirmed COVID-19 cases today, bringing its total case number to 1,883. Of those total cases, 1,351 patients have recovered. Ohio County currently has 352 532 active confirmed COVID-19 cases. Of those active cases, five patients have been hospitalized. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 34 Ohio Countians have died.

Ohio County Schools has added two new confirmed COVID-19 cases since yesterday’s report. OC Schools now has had a total of 132 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 102 of those patients having recovered. Of those 102 recoveries, 56 were staff members and 46 were students. Of the student cases, 43 were in-person learning students and three were remote/virtual learning students.

Currently, OC Schools has 30 active confirmed COVId-19 cases with 14 of those cases being staff members and 16 of those cases being students. Of the staff member active cases, two are from Fordsville Elementary, one is from Ohio County Middle School, four are from Southern Elementary, four are from Wayland Elementary and three are district staff.

Of the student active cases, two are from Beaver Dam Elementary, one is from Fordsville Elementary, one is from Horse Branch Elementary, four are from Ohio County High School, three are from OCMS, three are from Southern Elementary, one is from Wayland Elementary and one is from Western 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.