By Lee Bratcher/OC Monitor
HARTFORD, Ky. — Ohio County Judge-Executive David Johnston provided an update today on COVID-19 in Ohio County. He also spoke about how people aged 70 years and older can get scheduled to receive a vaccination.
When it comes to the COVID-19 situation in Ohio County, Johnston spoke about the over 2,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases the county has had and the current over 500 active cases.
“It’s still very bad news,” Johnston said. “Our increase in folks getting it is going up all the time. There are more and more people sick with this all the time and some very ill.”
In today’s Green River District Health Department’s report, the county found out it lost another resident due to COVID-19 related complications, the third just this week.
“The official (death) count is now 37 Ohio Countians that have died, definitely, from COVID-19 (complications),” Johnston said. “We have several other (deaths) that we think are due to COVID-19 as well, but Kentucky is very, very careful on screening those and if they call a COVID-19 death a COVID-19 death, it absolutely is. There’s never any room for a mistake on that.”
Johnston moved on to the good news of the update, the COVID-19 vaccine, and how people can get scheduled for an appointment. Johnston asked those Ohio Countians who are aged 70 years and older to call Ohio County Healthcare at 270-215-9082 to get scheduled for a COVID-19 vaccination.
“Please call that number and get on the list,” Johnston implored. “Our vaccines for that age group should be here Feb.1. That’s our goal. If you’re on that list, you’ll get called.”
The vaccinations will be administered at the Ohio County Community Center. The reason is to cut down on wait times and get people vaccinated in a quicker manner.
“The sooner we get (those 70 years and older) vaccinated, we’ll move on to other categories with the goal of getting everyone by mid-Spring,” Johnston said.
Johnston ended his update as he always does, by pleading with Ohio Countians to take the virus seriously and take precautions to protect themselves and those around them.
“This thing’s very serious. Many, many people in our county have died. I’m sure every one of you has known someone who did,” Johnston said. “Please, be careful. Wear your mask, watch your distance and wash your hands and don’t attend any mass gatherings where there’s a lot of people in one room.”
To view Johnston’s COVID-19 update, click here.