COVID rampant in Western Kentucky region
The coronavirus continues to run rampant in the area as more and more people contract the virus. On Tuesday, August 31, 2021, the Green River District Health Department (GRDHD) issued a press release detailing the surge. The following information is lifted directly from the GRDHD press release.
The release reported 869 new confirmed COVID-19 cases with 380 in Daviess County, 29 in Hancock County, 192 in Henderson County, 36 in McLean County, 123 in Ohio County, 63 in Union County, and 46 in Webster County.
The COVID-19 related deaths were 4 residents of Daviess County, 1 resident of Henderson County, 1 resident of McLean County, and 1 resident of Union County. Our current 7-day average for new cases in the 7 county district is 231 new cases a day. The newly reported cases were investigated between August 27th and August 30th. Between August 23 -29 there were 1,547 new cases in the district. That is the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases ever reported in the seven county region in a week.
“We are seeing the highest incidence rates of COVID-19 we have ever seen,” said Clay Horton, GRDHD Public Health Director. “The rates of infection in our area are among the highest in the country and world.
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 have to be in indoor public spaces, wear a mask. If you are around many people right now, you should assume you are being exposed to the virus and do everything you can to protect yourself.”
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 and Johnson & Johnson. 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.
With the delta variant running rampant, health officials say the country needs to offer booster shots to help combat the virus. At this time, the country has not officially started giving people booster shots, but some people are eligible for a third shot if they meet certain Centers for Disease Control guidelines, Anita Owens, GRDHD Director of Nursing said.
“The third shot is for people with a compromised immune system,” Owens said. “It is going to help their immune system fight COVID.”
This third shot is not for the general public at this time.
Owens said a person wanting this additional shot needs to attest a reason why he or she needs the shot. Reasons include a young person with an autoimmune disease, a person undergoing chemotherapy or even someone taking medication for rheumatoid arthritis, Owens said. A person with a heart condition, but with an otherwise healthy and strong immune system is not eligible for the third shot.
