ASHLAND — The Ashland County Health Department (ACHD) is reporting the eighth positive laboratory test result for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in an Ashland, Ohio resident, according to public information officer Jill Hartson in a press release Thursday, April 30.
This is the third positive case of COVID-19 recorded in Ashland County this week, marking the fastest increase in reported cases Ashland County has seen since the pandemic arrived in Ohio.
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.
As Ohio gradually expands testing capabilities, more positive cases are to be expected, Hartson said in the release.
The following is a history of the number of confirmed laboratory cases of COVID-19 in Ashland, Ohio:
- Case number 1 was reported on March 18, 2020.
- Case number 2 was reported on March 27, 2020.
- Case number 3 was reported on April 2, 2020.
- Case number 4 was reported on April 9, 2020.
- Case number 5 was reported on April 10, 2020.
- Case number 6 was reported on April 26, 2020.
- Case number 7 was reported on April 27, 2020.
The ACHD recommends individuals protect themselves by doing the following: practice social distancing, wear a face covering, stay home when sick, disinfect frequently touched surfaces and wash hands often.
To minimize the risk of infecting healthcare workers, individuals should call ahead before seeking medical care to discuss symptoms.
According to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), COVID-19 symptoms can include fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, diarrhea, 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. – 8 p.m. The number is 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).
