ASHLAND — Another confirmed positive case of COVID-19 brings Ashland County’s total count to ten cases, according to a press release issued Monday by Ashland County Health Department’s public information officer Jill Hartson.
Since last week, the Ashland County Health Department has reported a steady increase of positive COVID-19 test results in Ashland County.
The most recent, the tenth case, was recorded Monday, May 4. The sixth through ninth cases were recorded from Sunday, April 26 through Friday, May 1.
Individuals who had close contact with the confirmed cases will be notified by the ACHD and given further instructions. Close contacts include those living in the same household as the confirmed case, and/or those who have had close contact with the confirmed case for 10 minutes or more, Hartson said.
Of the ten positive cases, eight have made a full recovery and two are recovering, the public information officer continued.
ACHD is currently monitoring around 100 individuals who had a known exposure to COVID-19.
According to the press release, the ACHD is anticipating these numbers will grow for the following reasons:
1. The statewide testing capacity is anticipated to increase.
2. Hospitals and outpatient clinics are ordering COVID-19 testing for individuals prior to surgery.
3. Businesses are beginning to reopen.
“Since we are still months away from a COVID-19 vaccination, everyone must remain vigilant when out in public to protect themselves and others,” Hartson said. “Practice social distancing, wear a face covering, disinfect frequently touched surfaces, and wash your hands often. Please, stay home if you are sick and isolate yourself from other household members whenever possible.”
The following is a history of the number of confirmed laboratory cases of COVID-19 in Ashland County:
- 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.
- Case number 8 was reported on April 30, 2020.
- Case number 9 was reported on May 1, 2020.
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, vomiting, conjunctivitis, 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).
