By Lee Bratcher/OC Monitor
HARTFORD, Ky. — Ohio County Judge-Executive David Johnston updated the county on the current COVID-19 pandemic and there wasn’t much good news to report.
“It’s not good at all for our county,” Johnston began. “We have nearly 550 people ill at this time with this virus. That’s nearly a third of the 1,883 cases that we’ve had since the beginning of March. So it’s getting worse and worse every day.”
While Ohio County’s death toll at this point stands at 34 lost to COVID-19 complications, Johnston said he knew of at least two more who have died.
“Those statistics are slow about coming in on our official report,” Johnston explained.
Johnston began listing the ways people can help stop the spread of the virus, the same things he’s been telling Ohio County for the past 10 months.
“Be careful and don’t attend group things and always wear your mask and use social distancing as much as you can,” Johnston pleaded.
Johnston did have a bit of good news and it was the COVID-19 vaccine could be the “light at the end of the tunnel.”
Johnston asked those who are 70 years old and older to call Ohio County Healthcare at 270-215-9082 to be added to schedule a time to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Johnston said the vaccinations for those 70 and older were scheduled to begin Feb. 1.
“We’re going to push and call and try to see why it’s taking that long and we hope that it may be a few days sooner than (Feb. 1),” Johnston said. “Right now, it’s Feb.1. Please call in and get your appointment scheduled.”
The vaccinations for those 70 years old and older will be administered at the Ohio County Community Center by OCH.
Next week, those who have received the vaccine will get their booster shot. According to Johnston, the vaccination schedule was slowed somehow by the wait to give the booster shots.
To view Johnston’s COVID-19 update livestreamed from his office, click here.