TIFFIN — (Monday), the Seneca County General Health District reported the death of a hospitalized patient from Seneca County who had tested positive for COVID-19.
The patient was an 85-year-old woman. The health department’s communicable disease nurse will do a detailed history on the patient in an effort to determine where she may have acquired the virus.
Just received word of our first fatality in Seneca County due to the COVID-19 pandemic. My heart goes out to the family of the 85 year old woman who lost her battle with the virus.
— Aaron D. Montz (@AaronDMontz) March 30, 2020
“On behalf of the entire county, we express our deepest sympathies for the family and friends of the patient who died,” Seneca County Health Commissioner, Beth Schweitzer said. “We also extend our sympathies to the other Ohioans battling this illness and the families of everyone affected by this pandemic.”
The case was originally reported to the health department by a local hospital when it was first identified. We will not release any identifiable information about the patient to respect her privacy.
This morning, I joined Seneca County Health Commissioner Beth Schweitzer to provide an update on the current COVID-19 pandemic in Tiffin and Seneca County. The short presentation begins around 2:45 seconds into the clip below.https://t.co/VpWl4hKfTP
— Aaron D. Montz (@AaronDMontz) March 30, 2020
Seneca County has been working tirelessly preparing for and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic since we first learned about it. We are reaching out to all known contacts of COVID-19 cases to make sure we help prevent the spread of this disease.
Schweitzer said it is critical that we follow Governor DeWine’s and Dr. Amy Acton’s order to remain at home in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 to others. It is also imperative that businesses which are not essential shut down and those that have been determined to be essential protect their employees while they are in the workplace.
It is important to continue to follow standard precautions to prevent the spread of infectious disease.
To prevent the spread of any virus including novel coronavirus, practice these preventative measures:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your elbow.
Ohioans can also call the ODH COVID-19 hotline with any questions or visit www.coronavirus.ohio.gov. The call center is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 1-833-4-ASKODH (1-833-427-5634).