OWENSBORO, Ky. — Ohio County adds to its COVID-19 death toll today as the Green River District Health Department reported another Ohio Countian has died due to COVID-19 related complications. This brings Ohio County’s death toll to 35 since the start of the pandemic. Ohio County has already lost three Ohio Countians to COVID-19 related complications this year.
In addition to the loss of another Ohio Countian to COVID-19, the GRDHD reported the county gained 30 new confirmed COVID-19 cases.
For the district this Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, the GRDHD reported 143 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases with 89 in Daviess County, four in Hancock County, seven in Henderson County, five in McLean County, 30 in Ohio County, one in Union County and seven in Webster County. Other COVID-19 related deaths were three residents of Daviess County, two residents of McLean County and one resident of Union County.
- There have been 16,025 reported COVID-19 cases in the district to date.
- The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 11,822 (74 percent).
- 53 reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
- 713 (4 percent) have required hospitalization.
- There have been 272 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
- The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 328,668 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 3,167 statewide deaths.
With today’s 30 new confirmed cases, Ohio County’s total number of cases since the beginning of the pandemic is 1,957. Of those cases, 1,405 patients have recovered or died. Ohio County currently has 552 active confirmed COVID-19 cases with seven Ohio Countians in the hospital with COVID-19 related issues.
Since Monday’s report, Ohio County Schools have added eight new confirmed COVID-19 cases to its total. Since the start of school, OC Schools has had 145 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 120 of those patients having recovered. Of the 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.
OC Schools currently has 25 active confirmed cases with 12 being staff members and 13 being students. Of the 12 confirmed active staff member cases, one is from Beaver Dam Elementary, three are from Fordsville Elementary, one is from Ohio County Middle School, one is from Southern Elementary, five are from Wayland Elementary and one is district staff.
Of the confirmed active student cases, one is from Horse Branch Elementary, six are from Ohio County High School, one is from OCMS, four 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: 45.4 percent
Female: 54.6 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.