Thursday, August 26th, 2021

Mercer Co. reports 31 new cases, 1 death

By Leslie Gartrell
CELINA - An 87-year-old woman is the latest to die from COVID-19 in Mercer County, according to county health officials, raising the cumulative death toll from the virus to 88.
Thirty-one new cases of COVID-19 also were reported Wednesday, raising the county's cumulative number of cases to 4,336.
The newest death and four active hospitalizations in the county are all among unvaccinated individuals, according to officials from the Mercer County Health District. Officials have said the highly contagious delta variant is contributing to the uptick in cases throughout the region.
Cases of COVID-19 have swelled in the month of August, with 167 new cases reported in the month so far, according to Wednesday's health district news release. Thirty-four cases of the virus were reported in July, and only 14 cases were reported in June.
Mercer County's rate of transmission continues to be high, the release reads. The county has a rate of 140 cases per 100,000 people in the past seven days and a test positivity rate of 9.5%.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention define a high transmission rate as 100 or more new cases per 100,000 people in a seven-day period or a test positivity rate of 10% or higher.
Officials reported 17 confirmed and eight probable cases of COVID-19 among fully vaccinated individuals. Of those, three were hospitalized and have since recovered. Officials also reported a cumulative 823 probable cases, 4,114 people who have recovered and 19 probable deaths from the virus.
Since the COVID-19 transmission rate is at substantial or high levels, people are encouraged to wear a mask when in indoor public locations to protect themselves and others, according to the Mercer Health release.
Officials in the release said masks are most important when around people with weakened immune systems or increased risk of severe disease and when distance cannot be maintained between people.
While N95 masks offer protection to the wearer, surgical and cloth masks are most effective in controlling the release of droplets from those who may carry the virus by stopping the droplets before they separate into smaller particles capable of traveling through the air.
Starting Friday, health district officials will begin offering the third dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines to immunocompromised individuals at the health district located in the county central services building in Celina. The third dose is available to immunocompromised individuals at least 28 days after they received the second shot in the two-dose series of Moderna or Pfizer vaccine. People interested in getting the third shot should consult with their physician to determine whether they are eligible.
When obtaining a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine at the health district, clients will be required to complete a form documenting that they are eligible for the shot. No one will be required to disclose the specific health condition that makes them vulnerable, according to the release.
Health district officials also are making plans to conduct multiple drive-thru COVID-19 vaccine clinics this fall if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) approve the recently announced federal booster shot plan.
As of Wednesday night, the Ohio Department of Health reported a cumulative 1,192,478 confirmed and probable cases, 64,853 hospitalizations - an increase of 225 hospitalizations since Wednesday - and 20,729 Ohio resident deaths since the pandemic began.

COVID-19 cases/deaths:
Ohio cases 1,192,478
Ohio deaths 20,729
Mercer County cases 4,336
Mercer County deaths 88
Auglaize County cases 3,897
Auglaize County deaths 65
Additional online story on this date
Celina's Kristie Secrest wins truck pull title in Bowling Green
CELINA - When Celina's Kristie Secrest went to Bowling Green for the National Tractor Pulling Championships on Saturday, she had no particular expect [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
Officials paint grim picture of latest surge
COLDWATER - Mercer Health officials on Wednesday said the number of mostly unvaccinated patients testing positive for COVID-19 has jumped and that patients are presenting symptoms earlier and they are younger.
CELINA - Mercer County commissioners this week agreed to tap its share of COVID-19-related American Rescue Plan Act dollars to pay for nearly $50,000 in ambulance equipment for county emergency medical services.
CELINA - Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey scheduled a news conference this morning at the county jail to reveal a substantial development in the homicide case of 22-year-old Ryan R. Zimmerman of Columbus.
CELINA - The Grand Lake Drug Task Force found 53 marijuana plants growing in Mercer County after an annual flyover, according to Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey.
CELINA - The power of storytelling is well-known to Jean Giesige, a columnist and former editor of the Daily Standard. As someone who has written pro
CELINA - School board members convened for a special meeting on Tuesday afternoon to approve and amend contracts and accept retirements of personnel.
The meeting wrapped up in about 10 minutes, Celina City Schools Superintendent Ken Schmiesing said.
MONTEZUMA - Fiscal officer Randy Garman advised council members at Wednesday night's meeting that the village is expected to receive $16,445 in federal COVID relief funds.
Area Roundup
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
and Tom Haines
The United States women's goalball team opened play at the Tokyo Paralympics on Wednesday morning with a 6-4 win over Brazil in Pool D play at Makuhari Messe Hall.
  While most of the area teams will play another week of non-conference games, the Western Buckeye League opens play on Friday with five games on the slate.
After last year's strange COVID-19 high school football season, fans were back in the stands like normal last week. The schedules of local high school football teams also returned to normal, and the results of the first week of non-conference games had a familiar feel.
All games begin at 7 p.m. unless indicated
FRIDAY
COLDWATER at OAK HILLS
Betz Memorial Stadium (7:30 p.m.)
The Cavaliers and Highlanders meet for the first time ever.
Players of the Week
Offense
Riley Hiser, RB Fort Recovery
35 carries for 284 yards and five touchdowns in the
Indians' 39-21 win over Wayne Trace.