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
