7 new Mercer virus cases

CELINA - The number of positive coronavirus tests continues to rise in the area, as the Mercer County Health District on Monday reported seven new cases, raising the county's total to 86.

Auglaize County health officials reported no new cases on Monday.

Of the seven new Mercer County cases, three involve women: two from the age of 40-50 and one from the age of 50-60. The remaining cases involve men, including one from the age of 50-60, one from the age of 40-50, one from the age of 30-40 and one from the age of 20-30. All individuals are self-isolating at home, according to a health department news release.

District officials also reported 18 people who have recovered, 75 pending cases, 338 negative test results, three hospitalizations and one death from COVID-19.

No further identifying information about COVID-19 patients will be released. However, the district has partnered with the Mercer County Tax Map Coordinator to create an interactive dashboard that will provide additional data about confirmed cases. The dashboard will include an exact age, sex, race and zip code of each infected person.

Officials anticipate releasing the dashboard sometime this week, district public information officer Kristy Fryman said.

As cases continue to climb in Mercer County, health officials urge residents to take precautions to protect themselves and loved ones against COVID-19. Washing hands, using hand sanitizer, covering their mouth/nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces are advised.

Social distancing, eliminating gatherings of more than 10 people, abiding by current restrictions on businesses and wearing a mask or face covering are also vital to stopping the spread of the virus, according to health officials.

In Auglaize County, Saturday's news release from the health department incorrectly reported 39 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Department officials on Monday clarified the county actually had 42 confirmed cases.

The health department also reported three probable cases, eight hospitalizations, 19 people who have recovered, and three deaths from COVID-19.

Health officials report people as recovered from COVID-19 when they are released from isolation.

Infected people who have been put into isolation are released from quarantine when at least seven days have passed since the onset of symptoms, they have been fever-free for at least 72 hours without taking fever-reducing medication and respiratory symptoms have improved.

Health officials in Auglaize County continue to stress the importance of social distancing and limiting non-essential travel.

As of Monday night, the Ohio Department of Health reported 24,777 confirmed and probable cases, 4,413 hospitalizations and 1,357 confirmed and probable deaths.