OWENSBORO, Ky. — Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, the Green River District Health Department reported 214 new confirmed COVID-19 cases with 116 in Daviess County, nine in Hancock County, 50 in Henderson County, 15 in McLean County, 26 in Ohio County, eight in Union County and 12 in Webster County.
The COVID-19 related deaths were one resident of McLean County and one resident of Webster County.
The current seven-day average for new cases in the seven-county district is now 77.9 new cases a day. The newly reported cases were investigated between Feb. 18-21, 2022.
In addition to the 214 newly reported cases, 176 additional cases that previously occurred but were not reported to the local health department have been added to the reported totals in today’s report. Five of those previously unreported cases were added to Ohio County’s total confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Ohio County added 26 new confirmed COVID-19 cases to its total case number, which was three less infections than in Tuesday’s report. Ohio County has had a total of 7,463 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Currently, one Ohio Countian is hospitalized with COVID-19 related complications. Ohio County has lost 96 residents to COVID-19 related issues.
“We are glad to see the fast decline in our incidence rates of COVID-19,” said Clay Horton, GRDHD Public Health Director. “While our rates are still high, we could be in a better place in a few weeks. If we want to see this rapid decline continue, we shouldn’t let our guard down yet. 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. Wearing a mask when in public or around people you don’t live with is an effective way to reduce spread. If you are not yet vaccinated, go get vaccinated today. If you are already vaccinated and it is time, get a booster shot. If you must be in indoor public spaces, wear a mask. Most importantly, if you are feeling sick, stay home and don’t infect others.”
Ohio County’s percentage of vaccinations still remains very low at 44.07%. Ohio County’s vaccination rate is the lowest rate in the seven-county Green River District and one of the lowest rates in the state.
GRDHD COVID-19 Vaccine & Testing Availability
All persons aged 5 or older are eligible for Pfizer and all persons aged 18 and older are eligible for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. COVID-19 vaccine booster shots are now available. 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.
GRDHD 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.
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.
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.
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: 39
Age Range: 5 days to 104 years old
Male: 46.3%
Female: 53.7%
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. If you have COVID-19 like symptoms you should get tested regardless of vaccination status. If you are fully vaccinated and have a close exposure with someone that is infected (tested positive for COVID-19) you do not need to quarantine as long as you are asymptomatic but it is recommended that you get tested 3-5 days after the exposure.
For additional guidance go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully- vaccinated.html
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.
