EATON — Preble County Public Health Commissioner Erik Balster released the agency’s most recent COVID-19 update on Friday, April 24, noting there are 26 total cases in the area.
“As we all slowly begin to return to some of our normal day to day activities, Preble County Public Health (PCPH) is continuing to work on Coronavirus (COVID-19) response every single day,” Balster noted.
According to the release:
•There are 26 total cases in Preble County at press time. Preble County has 26 total cases under the CDC/Ohio Department of Health Expanded Case Definition and Reporting Update from April 8. This number includes 13 laboratory confirmed cases and 13 probable cases.
According to Balster, someone can be classified as a Probable Case if they have had symptoms such as fever, chills, headaches, sore throat, pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome without another explanation AND close contact with someone confirmed or probable to have a case of COVID-19 within 14 days of symptoms.
•There are 24 recovered cases in Preble County at press time.
“While we have been reporting the growing case count, we are now able to report several other metrics that can help everyone get a better picture of what’s going on in Preble County as we face COVID-19. At this time, we have 24 individuals who have recovered from COVID19 and are no longer considered active cases,” Balster explained.
•There has been 1 death from COVID-19 in Preble County.
•Testing is expanding. While testing has been limited and predominately centered around the big cities in Ohio, policy changes made at the state level should help ensure that hospital labs would be further incorporated along with private labs and the Ohio Department of Health lab. Antibody testing will also start to become more prolific and useful to help identify those who may have already been exposed to and/or had COVID19.
•Businesses are going to start to re-open, slowly. Both the Governor and Director of the Ohio Department of Health have indicated there will be a very slow, gradual approach to reopening business throughout the state of Ohio as May 1, approaches.
“While the Stay at Home order and the many accompanying orders issued came about in an abrupt fashion, returning back to normal will be a much, much slower process,” the release noted. “Furthermore, it is expected that many of the large gathering restrictions will continue on through the foreseeable future. Face masks may also be recommended for all and required for certain activities, jobs, or gatherings.
“PCPH will help make sense of these changes and work with local businesses, restaurants, elected officials and the community to figure the best ways Preble County can safely get back to our daily activities.”
Balster continued: “Finally, we would like to thank the Preble County community for doing an excellent job through all of this. It hasn’t been easy for anyone, but we can see how all of your collective actions have helped reduce the spread and limit illness in our community. We must all continue to support one another and our local businesses as we all move forward.”
For the most up to date news regarding COVID-19 in Preble county refer to the PCPH Facebook page (@PrebleCoHealth) and its website, www.preblecountyhealth.org/coronavirus. New information is added daily.
For additional information about COVID-19, contact the Ohio Department of Health COVID-19 hotline at 833-427-5634 or visit preblecountyhealth.org/coronavirus.
