OWENSBORO, Ky. — Ohio County has lost another resident to COVID-19 related complications, according to the Green River District Health Department. The most recent Ohio County COVID-19 death is the third of the recent Delta variant surge. Overall, 59 Ohio Countians have died due to COVID-19 related issues during the pandemic.
In addition to the death of an Ohio Countian, the GRDHD also reports 119 Ohio Countians have tested positive for COVID-19 since Tuesday’s report. For the week, Ohio County has gained 188 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and has gained 386 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in the last two weeks. Currently, six Ohio County residents are hospitalized due to COVID-19 related complications.
Ohio County isn’t the only county in the district that is not faring well during the Delta variant surge.
Also on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, the GRDHD reported a total of 749 new confirmed COVID-19 cases with 278 in Daviess County, 26 in Hancock County, 147 in Henderson County, 42 in McLean County, 119 in Ohio County, 80 in Union County and 57 in Webster County.
In addition to the death of one Ohio Countian, there were eight other COVID-19 related deaths in the district including, six residents of Daviess County and two residents of Henderson.
The current seven-day average for new cases in the seven-county district is 188.7 new cases a day. The newly reported cases were investigated between Aug. 24-26.
- There have been 28,513 reported COVID-19 cases in the district to date.
- There have been 445 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
- The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 557,835 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 7,667 statewide deaths.
“We are seeing an alarming rise in our incidence of new COVID-19 cases,” said Clay Horton, GRDHD Public Health Director. “The best way to protect yourself and those you love is to get vaccinated against COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and highly effective. If you are not yet fully vaccinated, at higher-risk, or work in a high traffic public job like retail or dining, continue to wear a mask when in indoor public spaces. If you are not vaccinated against COVID-19 yet, get vaccinated immediately!”
Ohio County’s percentage of vaccinations remains very low 34.83%. Ohio County is near the bottom of the seven-county Green River District when it comes to vaccinations with only Union County ranking lower. Ohio County also ranks near the bottom of the state in vaccinations.
The Delta variant of COVID-19 is much more dangerous and more easily spread. Those who haven’t gotten vaccinated, or only received one of a two-shot vaccination, should strongly reconsider.
GRDHD COVID-19 Vaccine & Testing Availability
All persons age 12 or older are eligible for Pfizer and all persons age 18 and older are eligible for Moderna. Visit healthdepartment.org or call your local county health department to be placed on our scheduling list.
CDC recommends that anyone with any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 get tested, regardless of vaccination status or prior infection. If you get tested because you have symptoms or were potentially exposed to the virus, you should stay away from others pending test results and follow the advice of your healthcare provider or a public health professional. Green River District Health
Department is offering free COVID-19 testing. To schedule an appointment, visit the GRDHD website, healthdepartment.org, and follow the COVID-19 Test prompts or call your local county health department. You must be pre-registered to be tested.
Kentucky residents can visit vaccine.ky.gov to find a vaccine location and sign-up for update notifications. Additional COVID-19 vaccine information can be found at vaccines.gov.
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.
Choosing Safer Activities
- If you are fully vaccinated you can start doing many things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic.
- When choosing safer activities, consider how COVID-19 is spreading in your community, the number of people participating in the activity, and the location of the activity.
- Outdoor visits and activities are safer than indoor activities, and fully vaccinated people can safely participate in some indoor events without much risk.
- Unvaccinated, not fully vaccinated, and immunocompromised individuals should continue to take all the same precautions like wearing a mask and socially distancing as they have been.
- Masks are still required for all individuals in health care facilities, confinement facilities, nursing homes, schools, and public transportation.
- If you are fully vaccinated you have a strong level of protection against COVID-19.
- The supply of vaccines is plentiful in our communities. If you have not been vaccinated yet, you are strongly encouraged to do so as soon as possible! Kentucky residents can visit vaccine.ky.gov to find the most convenient vaccination location.
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: 43
Age Range: 5 days to 102 years old
Male: 47%
Female: 53%
Additional COVID-19 Guidance
A person is considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine. If you don’t meet these requirements, regardless of your age, you are NOT fully vaccinated. Keep taking all precautions until you are fully vaccinated. Fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in any setting, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business, and workplace guidance. Fully vaccinated people can refrain from testing following a known exposure unless they are residents or employees of a correctional or detention facility or a homeless shelter. For additional guidance go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html. 24319
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 health care 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 individuals 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.