OWENSBORO, Ky. — Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, the Green River District Health Department reported 183 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases with 105 in Daviess County, eight in Hancock County, 33 in Henderson County, five in McLean County, 10 in Ohio County, 12 in Union County and 10 in Webster County. The COVID-19 related deaths were a resident of Daviess County and a resident of Union County.
- There have been 17,767 reported COVID-19 cases in the district to date.
- The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 13,356 (76%).
- 29 reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
- 758 (4%) have required hospitalization.
- There have been 304 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
- The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 355,877 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 3,611 statewide deaths.
While adding an additional 10 confirmed COVID-19 cases is not great news for Ohio County, it’s better than other reports this week. With today’s 10 new cases, Ohio County’s total confirmed COVID-19 cases stands at 2,110 with 1,605 of those patients having recovered or died from the disease. Currently, Ohio County has 505 active confirmed COVID-19 cases with five of those patients being hospitalized. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 104 Ohio Countians have been hospitalized and 45 Ohio Countians have died due to COVID-19 related complications.
Ohio County Schools picked up another new confirmed COVID-19 cases since yesterday’s report. OC Schools now has had a total of 174 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 158 of those patients having recovered. Of the recovered COVID-19 patients, 80 were staff members and 78 were students. Of the student recoveries, 75 were in-person learning students and three were remote/virtual learning students.
Currently, there are 16 active confirmed COVID-19 cases in OC Schools. Of those 16 active cases, six are staff members and 10 are students. Of the staff member active cases, one is from Beaver Dam Elementary, four are from Southern Elementary and one is from Wayland Elementary.
Of the student active cases, one is from Beaver Dam Elementary, three are from Fordsville Elementary, two are from Ohio County High School, two are from Ohio County Middle School and two 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.