OWENSBORO, Ky. — Saturday, March 20, 2021, the Green River District Health Department reported 47 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases with 29 in Daviess County, one in Hancock County, nine in Henderson County, one in McLean County, two in Ohio County, one in Union County and four in Webster County. The COVID-19 related death was a resident of Henderson County.
- There have been 20,527 reported COVID-19 cases in the district to date.
- The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 18,402 (90%).
- 5 reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
- 858 (4%) have required hospitalization.
- There have been 371 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
- The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 419,872 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 5,695 statewide deaths.
Ohio County added 2 new confirmed COVID-19 cases to its total today. For the week, Ohio County added 15 new cases, which is 12 fewer cases than last week’s total. Since the start of the pandemic, Ohio County has had a total of 2,421 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 2,182 of those patients having recovered.
Currently, there is one Ohio Countian hospitalized with COVID-19 related complications. Ohio County did lose another resident to COVID-19 related complications this week, bringing the county’s total deaths since the beginning of the pandemic to 51.
Ohio County Schools had added one new confirmed COVID-19 case since yesterday’s report. Since the start of school, OC Schools has had a total of 206 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Of those cases, 202 patients have recovered from the disease, 92 of those recoveries were staff members and 110 were students.
Currently, OC Schools has four active confirmed COVID-19 cases with two being staff members and 2 being students. Of the staff member active cases, one is from Horse Branch Elementary and one is a district staff member. Of the student active cases, one student is from Beaver Dam Elementary and one is from Fordsville Elementary.
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: 46.7%
Female: 53.3%
COVID-19 Guidance
“We are at a critical point in our COVID-19 response efforts. The virus is still circulating in our communities and it is too early to let up on the efforts that are driving the number of cases down. The vaccine will save lives. It is important for us to get as many people vaccinated as soon as we can. So when it is your turn, get vaccinated,” 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 when in public or around individuals outside your own household.”
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.