The Ashland County Health Department (ACHD) is working with McMullen Assisted Care, Inc. to contain a COVID-19 outbreak in their facility. This is one of several outbreaks the ACHD has been working on. The total number involved in the current outbreaks are 14 (13 Ashland residents).
Three employees and six residents at McMullen have tested positive. All are recovering and none have been hospitalized. Families of McMullen residents are welcome to call the ACHD at 419-282-4231 with any questions or concerns.
Individuals are urged to practice precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, especially to those most at-risk. These precautions include: practicing social distancing, wearing a face covering, staying home when sick, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and washing hands often. Individuals should also refrain from attending large group gatherings.
“What we do directly impacts what COVID-19 does,” said Heather Reffett, ACHD’s Health Commissioner. “Individual behavior is our most powerful weapon against infectious diseases. If we stay home when we are ill, we reduce the spread of infection. If we leave our house not knowing we are sick, we can still reduce the spread of infection by wearing a face covering and staying 6 feet apart.”
The ACHD will continue to facilitate testing services as needed for McMullen staff and residents to quickly identify and contain any additional COVID-19 positive cases. ACHD staff will coordinate services with other response partners to assure McMullen staff and residents are fully supported.
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. To minimize the risk of infecting healthcare workers, individuals should call ahead before seeking medical care to discuss symptoms.
Ashland currently has 38 positive cases. Of these, 28 individuals have recovered, 9 are recovering and one is hospitalized. ACHD is currently working with 125 individuals who have been exposed to COVID-19.
Additional information about COVID-19 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)