COVID numbers hit all-time high in Henderson area with nearly 3,100 new cases reported
HENDERSON, Ky. — The number of new COVID-19 cases in the region continues a steep climb, with the Green River District Health Department reporting 3,089 cases and 14 deaths in its most recent update Wednesday.
The GRDHD's report spans five days from Jan. 14-18. In its previous report Friday, the seven-county health department counted 1,233 cases and six deaths.
Henderson County reported 810 new cases and one death. Daviess County had 1,365 cases, Ohio 262, Union 236, Webster 186, McLean 125 and Hancock 105. The other deaths included 11 residents of Daviess County, one from McLean County and one from Union County.
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The district's seven-day average for new cases is now 538.1 per day, continuing the post-holidays surge. On Friday, that figure was 413; on Dec. 28, the seven-day average was just 108 cases per day.
All of the state's 120 counties are now considered areas of high transmission, or "red" status. An area of high transmission is defined as 25 cases or more per capita by the Kentucky Department for Public Health. Henderson has the highest incidence rate in the region at 308.4, up from 193.5 Friday. Hancock, which has the highest percentage of vaccinated residents in the district, has the area's lowest rate at 203.1.
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"We are seeing an alarming increase in our incidence rates of COVID-19," said Clay Horton, GRDHD Public Health Director. "The best way to protect yourself and those you love is to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
"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."
There have been 50,864 cases reported in the district since the beginning of the pandemic, with 734 deaths. Kentucky has now logged its one millionth COVID case since the start of the pandemic, with 1,014,703 confirmed cases and 12,614 COVID-related deaths.
Henderson mask policies
Facemasks are required at all Henderson city government buildings for city employees, visitors and customers.
Henderson County Schools has universal masking in effect for all students, faculty and visitors. On Thursday, the school system updated its Healthy at School Plan, which continues to require masking at school grounds and on buses. Masking is highly recommended, but not required, at extracurricular activities.
COVID Vaccine Information
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.
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.
As of Tuesday, the total reported cases in the Green River district by county, current COVID-19 hospitalizations, the cases ever hospitalized, the number of deaths by county and the percent of residents having received at least one dose of the vaccine are:
Daviess: 23,699 9 617 336 57.79
Hancock: 1,919 1 36 21 64.45
Henderson: 10,642 3 267 140 56.55
McLean: 2,056 0 79 46 53.32
Ohio: 5,969 2 189 91 43.20
Union: 3,472 1 122 52 45.52
Webster: 3,107 0 101 48 50.34
Total: 50,864 16 1,411 734 NA
Additional demographic information
Average Age: 39
Age Range: 5 days to 104 years old
Male: 46.7%
Female: 53.3%
GRDHD COVID-19 Cases by Age Group
<1: 321
1-11: 3,862
12-19: 6,091
20-29: 8,464
30-39: 8,439
40-49: 7,458
50-59: 6,597
60-69: 5,083
70-79: 2,872
80+: 1,673
This article originally appeared on Henderson Gleaner: COVID update for Henderson, Kentucky and Green River District
