OWENSBORO, Ky. — Ohio County has lost five more residents to COVID-19 related complications, according to today’s report from the Green River District Health Department. So far this year, 12 Ohio Countians have died and 42 have died since the beginning of the pandemic.
Around the district, the GRDHD reported 260 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases with 179 in Daviess County, two in Hancock County, 17 in Henderson County, 12 in McLean County, 33 in Ohio County, six in Union County and 11 in Webster County.
In addition to the deaths of five Ohio Countians, three residents of Daviess County and two residents of Henderson County also died of COVID-19 related complications.
Last week, the Green River District saw an additional 1,039 reported COVID-19 cases. The past week also saw 19 COVID-19 related deaths in the seven-county region, three of which were Ohio Countians.
- There have been 17,181 reported COVID-19 cases in the district to date.
- The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 13,023 (76%).
- 55 reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
- 744 (4%) have required hospitalization.
- There have been 294 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
- The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 347,836 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 3,460 statewide deaths.
With today’s addition of 33 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, Ohio County’s total cases since the start of the pandemic are 2,067. Of those total cases, 1,562 patients have recovered or died. Currently, Ohio County has 505 active confirmed COVID-19 cases with six of those patients being hospitalized. Ohio County has had 101 COVID-19 patients hospitalized since the beginning of the pandemic.
Ohio County Schools gained one new confirmed COVID-19 cases since Monday’s report. With today’s new case, OC Schools’ total confirmed COVID-19 cases since school started is 167. Of those total cases, 146 patients have recovered with 74 being staff members and 72 being students. Of the student confirmed COIVD-19 cases, 69 were in-person learning students and three were remote/virtual learning students.
Currently, OC Schools has 21 active confirmed COVID-19 cases with 11 being staff members and 10 being students. Of the active staff member cases, on ei s from Beaver Dam Elementary, one is from Horse Branch Elementary, one is from Ohio County Middle School, five are from Southern Elementary, two are from Wayland Elementary and one is district staff.
Of the active student cases, one is from Fordsville Elementary, one is from Ohio County High School, three are from OCMS and five are from Southern Elementary. All of the student active cases are in-person learning students.
Southern Elementary is closed to in-person construction through Jan. 29.
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: 45.8%
Female: 54.2%
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.
