ASHLAND — The Ashland County Health Department (ACHD) has reported its seventh positive laboratory test result for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in an Ashland County, Ohio resident, according to a press release issued Monday, April 27 from ACHD public information officer Jill Hartson.
The newest case comes one day after the sixth positive Ashland County case was reported.
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, according to the press release.
No additional information will be released to protect the privacy of this individual, Hartson said in the release.
The following is a history of the number of confirmed laboratory cases of COVID-19 in Ashland County:
- Case #1 was reported on March 18, 2020.
- Case #2 was reported on March 27, 2020.
- Case #3 was reported on April 2, 2020.
- Case #4 was reported on April 9, 2020.
- Case #5 was reported on April 10, 2020.
- Case #6 was reported on April 26, 2020
Of the seven positive cases, five have made a full recovery and two are in various stages of recovery.
ACHD is currently monitoring approximately 65 individuals who are either awaiting a test result or had a known exposure to COVID-19, Hartson said in the release.
As Ashland begins to gradually reopen the economy at the direction of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, it is imperative individuals protect themselves, especially when out in public and when working onsite, the public information officer continued. Hartson urges residents to 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. to 8 p.m. The number is 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).
