Thursday, April 23rd, 2020

Officials: Six more virus cases in area

By Leslie Gartrell
WAPAKONETA - Five more people in Auglaize County have tested positive for the coronavirus, bringing the county's total to 28, and one more person in Mercer County has tested positive, bringing it's total to 14.
Health commissioner Oliver Fisher said he does not believe the new cases represented a related outbreak. With increased testing and new testing criteria, an increase in the number of cases is to be expected, he noted.
The new confirmed Auglaize County cases all involve women, ages 36, 56, 58, 61 and 89, according to a health department news release on Wednesday. Three of the women are self-isolating at home and two are being treated at a local hospital.
The health department also reported eight hospitalizations and three deaths due to COVID-19. Of the 28 positive patients, 22 are women and six are men, according to the release.
In Mercer County, a man from 40-50 years old was the first to test positive for COVID-19 since April 12. The man is hospitalized, according to a Mercer County Health District news release.
District officials also reported 10 people have recovered, 16 pending cases, 175 negative test results, two hospitalizations and one death from COVID-19 in Mercer County.
People will be reported as recovered when they are released from isolation by the health district. 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.
As of Wednesday evening, the Ohio Department of Health reported 14,117 confirmed and probable cases, 2,882 hospitalizations and 610 confirmed and probable deaths.
COVID-19 symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the CDC. These symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure. Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions such as heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19.
The CDC says people should seek medical attention if they experience emergency warning signs, including trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion and bluish lips or face. The list is not inclusive, and people should consult their medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
Additional online story on this date
COLDWATER - Mercer Health's financial turnaround over the last fiscal year may help cushion the blow from disrupted operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
From polio in 1945 to the current pandemic, Ken Kremer was there
COLDWATER - The COVID-19 pandemic has sent an 85-year-old Maria Stein man back in time to more than half a century when he spent the better part of a year in hospitals recuperating from the dreaded disease of the day - polio.
ST. MARYS - School board members at Tuesday's meeting discussed plans for the remainder of the school year.
Gov. Mike DeWine on Monday announced that Ohio's K-12 schools will remain closed for the rest of the school year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than 6,000 masks available
CELINA - Together for a Change, a group of Mercer County volunteers that makes fabric masks for medical personnel plans several local events to distribute the masks free of charge to Mercer County residents.
Amazing Athletes
Keith Wenning first gained attention during his sophomore year.
He had everyone's attention by the time he was a senior.
  In the 2007 Division I
Amazing Athletes
The Coldwater "Ring of Honor" features 207 pictures of All-Ohio athletes - some of whom are repeat honorees.
Karla (Klosterman) Gruenwald's pictures occupy a large amount of space.