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Coronavirus in Ohio by the numbers
There are 264 people under investigation, meaning they have been tested for the virus and are awaiting results. In Ohio, 85 people have already tested negative for COVID-19.
The patients range in age from 31 to 86. Twelve of them are female and 14 are males. Seven people remain hospitalized. There have been no coronavirus-related deaths in Ohio.
Cleveland reported its first confirmed case on Saturday. The city said the person is a male between the ages of 30 and 40, who recently returned from international travel.
“We knew that it wasn’t a matter of if, but when we would have a confirmed case in Cleveland,” said Mayor Frank Jackson. “ We have been planning and working in partnership with health officials to ensure that we are as prepared as possible, not only to handle these cases, but to lessen the impact to the community.”
Meanwhile, Lorain County also confirmed its first confirmed case of the virus Saturday afternoon.
Lorain County Public Health says the situation was “expected” and that they are “prepared.” They also expect to see more cases in the county, and Ohio as a whole, in the coming days.
They remind citizens, even if you are young and healthy, that you have a responsibility to protect yourself, those around you and the community as a whole.
Here are the counties where cases have been confirmed:
Belmont County: 2
Butler County: 4
Cuyahoga County: 11
Franklin County: 1
Lorain County: 1
Stark County: 3
Summit County: 2
Trumbull County: 2
Lorain County Public Health encourages citizens to take the following precautions to help slow the spread of the coronavirus:
- Stay home if you are sick
- Wash your hands with soap and water; use hand sanitizer if not available
- Avoid large gatherings
- Offer to help a neighbor in need, even if it is just a phone call
He encourages older adults or those with chronic health conditions to do the following:
- Wash your hands with soap and water; use sanitizer if not available
- Stay home as much as possible, and avoid crowds
- Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces in your house
- Be prepared in case you get sick – fill prescriptions and maintain a supply of food and household products in your home
- Call your healthcare provider if you have questions about your health
- Ask a loved one or neighbor for help if you need anything
What is the Coronavirus?
Normally, the Coronavirus typically causes the common cold or other mild respiratory viral illnesses, but this new strain can cause much more serious illness, even death, in some patients. Previous novel coronavirus strains include SARS and MERS that occurred in other areas of the world in recent years.
How is the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center prepared for COVID-19?
The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center team routinely works closely with local and state public health officials to coordinate our response to these types of outbreaks based on recommendations from the CDC.
- If a recent traveler to an affected area develops symptoms of COVID-19, the local health department who is working with the patient will alert the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center team that the patient is ill.
- The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is prepared to care for these patients in private treatment rooms with special ventilation (negative airflow) to prevent the spread of any infection.
- Our clinicians and staff wear special protective equipment when gathering samples for viral testing and treating the patient.
- These patients will also be tested for influenza and other viral illnesses that can have similar symptoms and are currently much more common in the U.S.
- Testing for COVID-19 can be performed only with the approval of the Ohio Department of Health and the CDC.
- In the event of a local COVID-19 outbreak, the medical center will implement our emergency preparedness plan in accordance with the standardized Hospital Incident Command System.
