The Ashland County Health Department (ACHD) is reporting the fourth positive test result for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in an Ashland County resident.
The individual had a known exposure to a confirmed COVID-19 case and had already been placed in quarantine. This is another ideal example of how cooperation from an individual, coupled with public health monitoring, can drastically reduce the spread of a virus.
“While we are not required by the Ohio Department of Health to monitor persons under investigation (PUI), we have chosen to do so at the Ashland County Health Department,” explained Jill Hartson, public information officer for the ACHD. “In this situation, we’ve effectively stopped COVID-19 in its tracks, which is why we take the extra time to monitor PUIs along with confirmed COVID-19 cases.”
Please continue to follow Ohio Health Director Dr. Amy Acton’s stay-at-home orders which were extended until 11:59 p.m. Friday, May 1, 2020. If it is essential to leave your house, practice social distancing and follow these additional guidelines: wear a face mask; wash your hands regularly; avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth; and disinfect frequently touched surfaces often.
“With the looming peak of COVID-19 cases for both our nation and our state, we need to sustain our social distancing efforts and practice precautions now more than ever,” Hartson emphasized. “We can’t let up. There is too much at stake if COVID-19 gets a foothold in Ashland, Ohio.”
If you are sick, contact your doctor by phone to discuss your symptoms. COVID-19 symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath.
Additional information is available at the Ohio Department of Health’s (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).