ASHLAND — The Ashland County Health Department (ACHD) is reporting the ninth positive laboratory test result for COVID-19 in an Ashland County resident, according to public information officer Jill Hartson in a press release Friday, May 1.
This is the fourth positive case of COVID-19 recorded in Ashland County this week. Other cases were reported Sunday, Monday and Thursday.
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 a release Thursday.
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.
- Case number 8 was reported on April 30, 2020.
Yesterday, Ohio’s Director of Health Dr. Amy Acton released a Stay Safe Ohio Order that is in effect until 11:59 p.m. May 29, 2020. All Ohioans are ordered to stay at home or at their place of residence except as allowed in the exceptions listed in the order, Hartson reminds residents in the release.
The order can be viewed at: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/publicorders/Directors-Stay-Safe-Ohio-Order.pdf. The order provides additional guidance on the gradual reopening of Ohio.
In the order, people at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19, including elderly people (65 and older) and those with underlying conditions, are urged to stay in their residence to the extent possible except as necessary to seek medical care. Underlying conditions include: chronic lung disease, asthma, serious heart conditions, hypertension, those who are immunocompromised, obesity, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, those undergoing dialysis and liver disease.
Hartson said, if individuals must leave their home, they should protect themselves by doing the following: practice social distancing, wear a face covering, 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, 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. – 8 p.m. The number is 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).
