OWENSBORO, Ky. — Ohio County continues to add to its death toll as the Green River District Health Department reported today another Ohio Countian has died due to COVID-19 related complications. Today’s death is the eighth death this week and number 15 for the new year. In total, 45 Ohio Countians have died due to COVID-19 related complications since the beginning of the pandemic and with the continued addition of multiple cases every day, more deaths are expected in the future.
Elsewhere in the Green River District for Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, the GRDHD reported 221 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases with 135 in Daviess County, eight in Hancock County, 33 in Henderson County, nine in McLean County, 18 in Ohio County, five in Union County and 13 in Webster County. In addition to the death of an Ohio Countian, Daviess County had two residents die of COVID-19 related complications.
- There have been 17,584 reported COVID-19 cases in the district to date.
- The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 13,314 (76%).
- 33 reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
- 753 (4%) have required hospitalization.
- There have been 302 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
- The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 352,943 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 3,542 statewide deaths.
Ohio County added 18 new confirmed COVID-19 to bring its total cases to 2,100. Of those cases, 1,596 patients have recovered or died. At this time, there are 504 active confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ohio County with four of those patients being hospitalized. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 102 Ohio Countians have been hospitalized.
Ohio County Schools has added four new confirmed COVID-19 cases since Wednesday’s report, bringing its total case number to 173. Of those 173 total cases, 152 patients have recovered with 76 being staff members and 76 being students. Of the student recoveries, 73 were in-person learning students and three were remote/virtual learning students.
Currently, OC Schools has 21 active confirmed COVID-19 cases with 10 being staff member cases and 11 being student cases. Of the staff member active cases, two are from Beaver Dam Elementary, one is from Horse Branch Elementary, five are from Southern Elementary and two are from Wayland Elementary.
Of the student active cases, one is from Beaver Dam Elementary, three are from Fordsville Elementary, one is from Ohio County High School, three are from Ohio County Middle School and three are from Southern Elementary.
All of the student cases are in-person learning students.
Southern Elementary has been closed to in-person instruction 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: 46%
Female: 54%
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.