Thursday, August 27th, 2020

Mercer County records 2 more deaths

By Leslie Gartrell
CELINA - Two more people have died from COVID-19 in Mercer County, raising the total number of deaths to 15.
Seven new confirmed cases were also reported, raising the county's total number to 761, according to a Wednesday news release from the county health district.
In Auglaize County, six new confirmed cases raised that county's total to 371.
The 14th Mercer County resident to die from COVID-19 was a 76-year-old man from Celina, according to the release, and the 15th was a 79-year-old man from Celina. Kristy Fryman, health district public information officer, said the men were not residents or patients at long-term care facilities.
"The MCHD staff would like to express our deepest sympathies to their families and friends during their time of loss," the release reads.
In addition to the seven new cases, health officials also reported 32 probable cases, 666 people who have recovered, 31 pending tests, 2,759 negative test results, six hospitalizations and one probable death from COVID-19. Of the 761 confirmed cases, 78 are active, according to the release.
Cases have been reported in all areas of the county since the beginning of the pandemic. Since March, Celina has had 342 cases; Coldwater, 121; Fort Recovery, 97; St. Henry, 95; Maria Stein, 49; Rockford, 23; Mendon, 14; Chickasaw, 11; Burkettsville, four; and Montezuma, three, according to the district's online COVID-19 dashboard at https://arcg.is/1mTqa5.
District officials in the release noted the importance of knowing the symptoms of COVID-19 as schools return to in-person teaching.
Health officials said people who have a cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever or chills, muscle or body aches, vomiting or diarrhea and/or new loss of taste or smell may have COVID-19. Officials advised parents to monitor their children for these symptoms daily and keep them home from school if they exhibit any of them.
Officials in the release said staff continue to consult with local school officials to ensure that classroom instruction, school activities and athletic events are conducted in the safest way possible. When a student or staff member becomes ill with COVID-19, the health district will partner with district staff to help control the spread of the virus within the school.
In Auglaize County, three of the six new cases involve men, their ages are 25, 61 and 81, according to a county heath department news release. The ages of the three women are 39, 66 and 77. All are self-isolating, according to the release.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, cases have been reported throughout Auglaize County, including St. Marys with 173 cases; Wapakoneta, 102; Minster, 43; New Bremen, 43; Cridersville, 24; Waynesfield, 11; New Knoxville, four; Botkins, three, Lakeview, two; St. Johns, two; New Hampshire, one; and Uniopolis, one.
As of Wednesday evening, the Ohio Department of Health reported 117,584 confirmed and probable cases in the state, 13,043 hospitalizations and 4,044 confirmed and probable deaths from COVID-19.

COVID-19 cases/deaths:
There were 7 new cases in Mercer County. Auglaize County also had 6.
Ohio cases  116,495
Ohio deaths  3,996
Mercer County cases  761
Mercer County deaths  15
Auglaize County cases  371
Auglaize County deaths  8
Additional online story on this date
DUBLIN TOWNSHIP - An accident involving a truck and a semitrailer at the intersection of state routes 118 and 707 left three people seriously injured including one transported by a medical helicopter on Wednesday evening. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
COLDWATER - Mercer Health saw an 11.6% increase in operating revenue with growth in surgery volumes and a 3.1% decrease in operating expenses over the last fiscal year, which ended March 31, according to auditors.
NEW BREMEN - School board members on Wednesday unanimously approved a policy requiring facial coverings during pandemics and epidemics.
In a specia
CELINA - The city's 2020 residential street program may yet get underway this year after city officials awarded a $1.29 million contract to the Shelly Co. to resurface nearly 3 miles of city streets.
MONTEZUMA - Village council members decided to contact the Mercer County Health District about whether to cancel trick or treat amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP - Wabash Road will close between Frahm Pike and
Skeels Road for a culvert replacement, said Mercer County Engineer Jim Wiechart.
Girls golf
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
St. Henry bounced back from Monday's loss to Coldwater with a 208-229 win over Lincolnview in girls golf action on Wednesday at the Mercer County Elks.
  The 2020 high school football season is a day away (or in the case of Parkway and Delphos St. John's, two days away).
After everything that has happened in the last 5-6 months, I'm glad it's finally here.
FRIDAY

WAPAKONETA vs. CELINA
Celina Stadium
Last Season: Reed Merricle rushed or 155 yards and three touchdowns and passed for another in the Redskins' 38-0 win at Harmon Field.
Friday
MAC
St. Henry at Coldwater
Marion Local at Fort Recovery
Minster at New Bremen
Versailles at Anna
WBL
Wapakoneta at Celina
St. M