GRDHD reports 89 new COVID-19 Cases, 10 new cases in Ohio County

In Local, News by OC Monitor Staff

OWENSBORO, Ky. — Monday, Jan. 25, 2021, the Green River District Health Department reported 89 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases with 40 in Daviess County, seven in Hancock County, 17 in Henderson County, one in McLean County, 10 in Ohio County, 10 in Union County and four in Webster County.

  • There have been 16,921 reported COVID-19 cases in the district to date.
  • The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 12,866 (76%).
  • 58 reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
  • 740 (4%) have required hospitalization.
  • There have been 284 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
  • The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 346,586 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 3,421 statewide deaths.

Ohio County begins the week by adding 10 active confirmed COVID-19 cases to its total. Ohio County has had a total of 2,034 confirmed COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic. Of those total cases, 1,548 patients have recovered or died.

Currently, Ohio County has 486 active confirmed COVID-19 cases with seven of those patients being hospitalized. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 37 Ohio Countians have died due to COVID-19 related complications.

Ohio County Schools gained three new confirmed COVID-19 cases since Saturday’s report. OC Schools has had a total of 166 total confirmed COVID-19 cases since school started. Of those 166 total cases, 143 patients have recovered with 73 being school staff members and 70 being students. Of the student recoveries, 67 were in-person learning students and three were remote/virtual learning students.

Currently, OC Schools has 23 active confirmed COVID-19 cases with 12 being school staff members and 11 students. Of the staff member active cases, one is from Beaver Dam Elementary, one is from Fordsville Elementary, one is from Horse Branch Elementary, one is from Ohio County Middle School, five are from Southern Elementary, two were from Wayland Elementary and one is a district staff member.

Of the student active cases, one is from Fordsville Elementary, one is from Ohio County High School, three are from OCMS and six are from Southern Elementary. All the student active cases are in-person learning students.

Southern Elementary has been closed to in-person instruction through Jan. 29 due to the amount of COVID-19 cases in the school.

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.

COVID-19 vaccine information and availability at Owensboro Health can be found on their website 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: 44

Age Range: 1 month to 102 years old

Male: 45.6%

Female:  54.4%

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.