Published on April 30, 2020

COVID-19 Update - April 30

Dr. Francis DuFrayne

Dr. Francis DuFrayne

As we’ve battled COVID-19, our community has shown overwhelming support for our front line healthcare workers. Every word of encouragement, donation and prayer has been appreciated. We’ve seen our community pull together in ways we could not have imagined and we hope you know just how much it means to us. As we slowly return to normal life, you can help us keep the community healthy by following the guidelines like wearing a mask and washing your hands frequently. We’ve come too far together to stop now.

Safeguards in Place

We are continuing to follow state guidelines as we adapt to the daily changes brought on by COVID-19. As we gradually reopen services, our healthy at work protocol has extra safeguards for treating our patients. These guidelines will continue to be evaluated and adjusted as needed. They include:

  • All patients and team members are screened for symptoms and exposure as they enter any OH facility. We ask that anyone feeling unwell, that has a temperature above 100.0, or showing any COVID-19 symptoms stay at home and be tested.
  • Everyone is required to wear a mask at all times inside Owensboro Health facilities.
  • Extra personal protective equipment, including face shields or eye protection, is required for team members in clinical settings.
  • We will use non-traditional waiting area options, such as having patients wait in their cars, when possible.
  • In clinical areas, objects and contact surfaces will be sanitized more frequently.
  • Visitor restrictions will remain in place.

Pre-procedure Screening

In the first phases of reopening services at Owensboro Health, we will resume a gradual increase of diagnostic testing, elective surgeries and procedures. These patients will be tested for COVID-19 72 hours before their scheduled procedure and must self-quarantine until their visit. If their test is positive, the procedure will be postponed. More guidance on the screening process will be available soon.

#HealthyAtWork

two team members in PPE

Robert Baldwin of Occupational Medicine and LeAnne Bombard of the Owensboro Health Medical Group in Tell City prepare to fit test Signature Healthcare employees for N95 masks. This is one of the many community services that we’re providing as businesses adjust to pandemic guidelines.

Rainbow Over OHRH

rainbow at OHRH

A rainbow appeared over the Owensboro Health Regional Hospital campus yesterday afternoon. Did you see it? We hope you're finding special moments every day.

Facebook Live tonight at 7 p.m.

Owensboro Health’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Francis DuFrayne will participate in a Facebook Live discussion about COVID-19 in the community tonight at 7 p.m. To watch, visit the Daviess County Emergency Management Agency Facebook page.

COMING FRIDAY: KY Air National Guard Flyover

You’ll want to turn your eyes to the sky Friday afternoon. The Kentucky Air National Guard will present a two-ship C-130 fly over across the state. The aerial demonstration is part of Operation American Resolve which is a nationwide salute to those supporting COVID-19 response efforts.

The flyover begins at 3 p.m. at the base in Louisville and will travel across Frankfort, Lexington, Pikeville, Bowling Green and Owensboro before circling back to Louisville. They should fly over Owensboro Health Regional Hospital at approximately 4:08 p.m. CST.

Schedule, May 1

  1. 3 p.m. - Start Kentucky Air National Guard Base, Louisville, Ky.
  2. 3:14 p.m. - Capitol Building, Frankfort, Ky.
    3:20 p.m. - Blugrass Community and Technical College, Lexington, Ky.
  3. 3:50 p.m. - Pikeville Medical Center, Pikeville, Ky.
  4. 4:49 p.m. (3:49 p.m. CST) - South Warren High School, Bowling Green, Ky.
  5. 5:06 p.m. (4:06 p.m. CST) - Owensboro Community and Technical College
    5:08 p.m. - Owensboro Health Regional Hospital
  6. 5:27 p.m. - Shawnee Park, Louisville, Ky.
    5:28 p.m. - Downtown Louisville River Flyby for University of Louisville Medical Center

flyover route map

COMING FRIDAY: OPS Last Day of School Parade

Owensboro Public Schools is holding a last day of school parade on Friday, and will end their day doing a lap around Owensboro Health Regional Hospital as a way to honor our healthcare workers. Approximately 20 buses and several cars will drive through campus around 3 p.m. Please be aware of this as you arrive or leave work around that time, and be sure to show your support if you see them!

About Owensboro Health

Owensboro Health is a nonprofit health system with a mission to heal the sick and to improve the health of the communities it serves in Kentucky and Indiana. The system includes Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, nationally recognized for design, architecture and engineering; Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital; Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center; the Owensboro Health Medical Group comprised of over 200 providers at more than 20 locations; three outpatient Healthplex facilities, a certified medical fitness facility, the Healthpark; a surgical weight loss center and program, and the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center.

On average each year, we have 16,000 inpatient admissions, deliver 2,000 babies and provide the region’s only Level III NICU. Owensboro Health physicians perform nearly 24,000 surgical procedures, including nearly 200 open-heart surgeries. Our physicians and staff have 70,000 Emergency Department visits, more than a million outpatient visits annually. Visit our home page for more information.