PREBLE COUNTY — Due to a recent increase in COVID-19 cases, Preble County Public Health (PCPH) will now be notifying “close contacts” of the virus by mail only.

PCPH made the announcement in a release on Thursday, Sept. 2, clarifying that the change from phone calls to mail is being done due to the increase in cases. In Preble County specifically, cases have risen significantly in the last few weeks.

A report on Aug. 10 showed 67 cases in Preble County, and the most recent update from PCPH on Sept. 2, reported 358 active cases throughout the county.

Following questions on social media, PCPH gave a further update the next day, clarifying that the volume of cases makes timely contact via phone calls difficult. Additionally, the statement said emails are not available for positive cases or their close contacts, so it would not have been an alternative option.

In addition, when reaching out by phone, PCPH said the percentage of people who pick up calls about positive cases or close contacts is very low, attributing this to caller ID, as well as calls from the Ohio Department of Health coming from a Columbus area code.

“PCPH has a limited number of nursing division staff, who in addition to case investigation and contact tracing, are still required to provide other nursing services which include childhood immunizations, COVID-19 vaccine, and other programs, while still trying to continue to answer the high volume of phone calls we receive on a daily basis,” the release said.

PCPH also clarified in the release that tests results come from a testing facility, so results will never be sent out by PCPH.

For more information, visit www.preblecountyhealth.org, www.facebook.com/PrebleCoHealth or call 937-472-0087, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.