OWENSBORO, Ky. — For the first time in over two weeks, an Ohio County resident lost their life to COVID-19 related complications, according to the Green River District Health Department’s report. With today’s reported death, Ohio County has lost 49 residents to COVID-19 related complications.
In addition to the Ohio County death, the GRDHD reported 24 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases with 16 in Daviess County, two in Henderson County, four in Ohio County and two in Webster County.
- There have been 20,302 reported COVID-19 cases in the district to date.
- The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 18,253 (90%).
- 9 reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
- 855 (4%) have required hospitalization.
- There have been 340 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
- The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 414,131 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 4,921 statewide deaths.
With today’s four new confirmed COVID-19 cases, Ohio County has had 2,402 total confirmed COVID-19 cases with 2,151 of those patients having recovered or died. Currently, there are 251 active confirmed COVID-19 cases with three of those patients being hospitalized.
Ohio County Schools has added one new confirmed COVID-19 case since yesterday’s report. Since the start of the school year, OC Schools has had a total of 203 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 197 of those patients having recovered. Of the those recovered from COVID-19 in OC Schools, 92 were staff members and 105 were students. Of the student COVID-19 recoveries, 102 were in-person learning students and three were remote/virtual learning students.
Currently, OC Schools has a total of six active COVID-19 cases, all of which are in-person students. Of the active student COVID-19 cases, one is from Fordsville Elementary, four are from Ohio County High School and one is from Ohio County Middle School.
GRDHD COVID-19 Vaccine Availability
Green River District Health Department is continuing to vaccinate in tiers 1A, 1B, and 1C which includes health care workers, first responders, daycare workers, essential workers, anyone 16 years of age or older with CDC highest risk COVID-19 conditions, and those 60 years of age or older. Visit healthdepartment.org or call your local county health department to be placed on our waiting list.
“The vaccine will save lives. It is important for us to get as many people vaccinated as soon as we can,” said Clay Horton, GRDHD Public Health Director. “As we move into the next phase of our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important for us to continue to practice the three “W’s: wear a mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance. It is important to protect yourself and those around you,” said Horton. “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.”
Additional COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Kentucky residents can visit vaccine.ky.gov to determine which phase they are in, find a vaccine location, and sign-up for update notifications. Additional COVID-19 vaccine information can be found at vaccinefinder.org Retail pharmacies and health centers are also providing COVID-19 vaccinations. 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.
Owensboro Health – You can make a new COVID-19 vaccination appointment online at owensborohealth.org/vaccine or by calling central scheduling at 270-685-7100.
Deaconess in Henderson County and Union County – COVID-19 vaccine information can be found at https://www.deaconess.com/Coronavirus/COVID-19-Vaccine
Ohio County Healthcare – To schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment visit https://ochcares.com/COVID or call 270-215-9082 Monday through Friday from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm.
COVID-19 Testing & Flu Shots
Green River District Health Department is offering free COVID-19 testing. 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.
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: 46.6%
Female: 53.4%
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 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.