A Message to Our Community about COVID-19
Have a Healthy Holiday
Owensboro Health wants you to have a healthy holiday season, and that means taking COVID-19 seriously. We encourage you to forego the traditional large gatherings to limit the spread of coronavirus. Instead, celebrate with members of your household and hold video calls with extended family.
Consider these lower-risk options for celebrating the season:
- Share a favorite family recipe
Make your favorite family dish and share it with a loved one by dropping it off on their doorstep for a no-contact delivery.
- Open gifts together, but apart
Ship gifts directly to the recipient's home and open presents together on a video call.
- Enjoy Christmas lights
Take a drive to look at Christmas lights in your neighborhood. Owensboro Health is sponsoring a free night for the community at Christmas At Panther Creek, the annual holiday drive-thru light display on December 10.
- Find joy in giving
Take time to donate to food pantries, toy closets and angel trees this year, to help those most in need.
As always, it’s critically important to wear a mask when around anyone you don’t live with, keep at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and others and wash or sanitize your hands frequently.
Owensboro Health has seen a steady rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations, and you can help slow the spread by following those simple steps.
COVID-19 Testing
Who Should be Tested?
- People who have symptoms of COVID-19.
- People who have had close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone with confirmed COVID-19.
- People who have been asked or referred to get testing by their healthcare provider, health department.
If you do get tested, you should self-quarantine/isolate at home pending test results and follow the advice of your health care provider or a public health professional.
How to get tested
Results
- If you test positive, know what protective steps to take to prevent others from getting sick.
- If you test negative, you probably were not infected at the time your sample was collected. The test result only means that you did not have COVID-19 at the time of testing. Continue to take steps to protect yourself.
Call for advice
If you are ill and concerned that it may be COVID-19, call the Coronavirus hotline at 877-888-6647 to speak to a nurse about next steps for testing.
Important reminders
Don’t delay care for emergencies
If you have an emergency or are ill and need immediate care, do not delay. Our hospitals have protocols in place to protect non-COVID-19 patients from the virus. Do not hesitate to come to the hospital if you have an emergency.
Do your part
Our team members are working tirelessly to keep our communities healthy. During these uncertain times we must all be good neighbors. Right now the best way to do that is by following these steps to protect yourself and your family:
- Practice physical distancing.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- 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.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a face mask.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the restroom; 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% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Thank you, again, for your support as we work to fight the spread of COVID-19.
