ASHLAND — The Ashland County Health Department (ACHD) is reporting the sixth positive lab result for COVID-19 in an Ashland County resident, according to ACHD public information officer Jill Hartson in a press release issued Sunday.
The public health investigation is ongoing with ACHD conducting contact tracing. Individuals who were in close contact with the confirmed case will be notified and given further instructions. No additional information will be released to protect the privacy of this individual.
“We realize the sacrifices that everyone is making in their day-to-day lives to help us slow the spread of COVID-19, but please know those sacrifices have given us the gift of time,” Hartson said “Because you’ve helped us ‘flatten the curve’, we’ve been able to prepare our local healthcare system for a surge in patients and, we’ve been able to secure and distribute more personal protective equipment to our community partners.”
In addition to the Ashland County Health Department, the following agencies have been instrumental in the local preparedness and planning efforts: Ashland County Emergency Management Agency, University Hospitals Samaritan Medical Center, city and county elected officials, Ashland City Police, Ashland City Fire/EMS, Ashland County Sheriff’s Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ashland County Coroner, and the Ashland County Mental Health and Recovery Board.
Representatives from these agencies are all part of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and have a conference call every morning to hear updates and address COVID-19 issues as a team. Countless other businesses, agencies and individuals in the community have rallied together to care for the community in a variety of ways.
“Whenever someone says they have a need during an EOC briefing, without fail, someone on the call knows of someone who can help,” Hartson said. “By the end of the briefing, you have the people you need and a plan in place to move forward.”
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Health Director Dr. Amy Acton have issued orders and directives over the last few weeks that have helped Ashland “flatten the curve.” This includes the closing of non-essential businesses and schools and limitations of mass gatherings.
Dr. Acton’s stay-at-home order, which lasts until at least 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2020, has limited the spread of COVID-19 by limiting exposure, Hartson said.
Individuals should only go out in public if it is essential, and should follow these precautions: practice social distancing; wear a face covering; wash hands regularly; refrain from touching eyes, nose and mouth; and disinfect frequently touched surface.
To minimize the risk of infecting healthcare workers, individuals should call ahead before seeking medical care to discuss symptoms. COVID-19 symptoms can include fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell.
Additional information is available at the ODH website, www.coronavirus.ohio.gov. ODH also staffs a Call Center 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The number is 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).
