OWENSBORO, Ky. — Monday, Jan. 18, 2021, the Green River District Health Department reported 101 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases with 33 in Daviess County, two in Hancock County, 24 in Henderson County, five in McLean County, 21 in Ohio County, seven in Union County and nine in Webster County. The COVID-19 related deaths were residents of Daviess County.
Last week, Green River District saw an additional 1,204 reported COVID-19 cases, 157 of which were from Ohio County. The past week also saw 13 COVID-19 related deaths in the seven-county region, one of which was an Ohio Countian.
- There have been 15,882 reported COVID-19 cases in the district to date.
- The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 11,706 (74 percent).
- 55 reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
- 710 (4 percent) have required hospitalization.
- There have been 265 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
- The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 326,675 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 3,127 statewide deaths.
Ohio County begins the week as it ended last week by adding many more new confirmed COVID-19 cases to its total. Today Ohio County added 21 new confirmed cases bringing its total confirmed COVID-19 cases to 1,927. Of those cases, 1,388 Ohio Countians have recovered or died.
Currently, Ohio County has 539 active confirmed COVID-19 cases, 13 more than in Saturday’s report. Of those active COVID-19 cases, seven Ohio Countians have been hospitalized with complications due to COIVD-19. Since the start of the pandemic, 34 Ohio Countians have died due to COVID-19 related complications.
Since Saturday’s report, Ohio County Schools has added two new confirmed COVID-19 cases to its total. Since the start of school, OC Schools has had a total of 137 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 120 of those patients having recovered from the disease. Of the 120 recoveries, 63 were staff members and 57 were students. Of the student recoveries, 54 were in-person learning students and three were remote/virtual learning students.
Currently, OC Schools has 17 active confirmed COVID-19 cases with 10 being staff member cases and seven being student cases. Of the staff member active cases, three are from Fordsville Elementary, one is from Ohio County Middle School, one is from Southern Elementary, four are from Wayland Elementary and one is a district staff member.
Of the student active cases, one is from Horse Branch Elementary, two are from Ohio County High School, one is from OCMS, two are from Southern 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.
COVID-19 Vaccination Information & Green River District Vaccine Availability
Kentucky COVID-19 vaccine dashboard and information: https://govstatus.egov.com/ky-covid-vaccine
Kentucky COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline: 800-722-5725 can answer general COVID-19 vaccine questions.
Green River District Health Department is continuing to vaccinate healthcare workers and first responders. Please visit healthdepartment.org to register your organization.
Owensboro Health has vaccines available to healthcare workers in the region, first responders, and the general population over the age of 70. You can make a new appointment online at owensborohealth.org/vaccine or by calling central scheduling at 270-685-7100.
Information on Covid-19 vaccine at Deaconess in Henderson County and Union County can be found here, https://www.deaconess.com/Coronavirus/COVID-19-Vaccine/COVID-Vaccine-Scheduling
Ohio County Healthcare is currently scheduling for patients 70 and older to receive the covid-19 vaccine. To schedule, individuals age 70 and older can call 270-215-9082 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
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: 45.3 percent
Female: 54.7 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.