Crawford County Public Health received notification mid-day on March 29th of two more positive cases of COVID-19.
These two cases both involve adults, one in their late 20’s and one in their mid-40’s. Both are recovering, isolated at their homes, and under the care of their family doctor. This brings the total number of laboratory confirmed positive cases in Crawford County to four, with the first case reported on March 24th, the second case on March 28th, and these two cases on March 29th.
The confirmed cases in Crawford County have ranged in age from late 20’s to late 60’s. Three of the cases are male and one case is female.
Kate Siefert, Health Commissioner at Crawford County Public Health wants to stress that COVID-19 is highly contagious and is considered community wide. Siefert reports, “Our preliminary investigations with these individuals indicate they have not had contact with one another over the past several weeks and their exposures to the virus do not overlap.” To maintain patient privacy, we will not be providing additional identifying information about any of the confirmed cases. Our CCPH Communicable Disease Team, comprised of public health nurses, epidemiologists, and physicians, are monitoring these individuals and in communication with their close contacts.
Dr. Chris Johnson, CCPH Medical Director, continues to remind residents the actual number of COVID-19 cases in Crawford County likely exceeds the numbers being reported. Dr. Johnson stresses, “We must remember, there are many people in Crawford County carrying the virus with either mild or no symptoms, so please treat everyone you come into contact with as someone who is carrying the virus.” Crawford County Public Health nurses been contacting individuals that have been in contact with confirmed cases within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more. Please keep in mind if our nurses contact you regarding exposure to a confirmed COVID-19 case, it may or may not be in regards to a Crawford County positive case. Our neighboring counties that have confirmed cases include many contacts of Crawford County residents and our nurses are following up with those contacts as well.
If you have questions regarding COVID-19, the Avita Health System has a Coronavirus Information Hotline that is open 8am-6pm daily at (419)468-0800. The Ohio Department of Health also has a call center that is open 9am-8pm daily at 1-833-427-5634. Ohio updates regarding Coronavirus are always available at www.coronavirus.ohio.gov .