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Harrison County has zero confirmed COVID-19 cases

County received $30,000 for virus preparedness

CADIZ — Harrison County is one of a few Ohio counties that still have no confirmed cases of COVID-19 — but that doesn’t mean the novel coronavirus hasn’t made its way to the community.

Harrison County Health Department Director Garen Rhome met with the Harrison County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday to speak about the virus and how to “flatten the curve” and extend the length of time before the peak number of cases hits the state. He said although there are not yet any confirmed cases of the coronavirus within the county, there more than likely are unconfirmed cases.

“We expect that the virus is in the county. We presume that it is, and we need everyone to behave like it is,” Rhome said.

Pretend that you are a potential carrier, he recommends to residents.

“Keep the social distancing up,” he added.

The measures that are currently in place are working well, he said. Rhome recommends that residents continue to stay at home, only leaving if absolutely necessary. They also should limit exposure to as few people as possible and maintain social distancing.

“When you go to a store, get in and get out,” he said.

Commissioner Paul Coffland said that some stores are urging families to only send one person into the store as a precaution to limit exposure.

Limiting exposure to as few individuals as possible is the goal. This becomes essential if a person becomes symptomatic and tests positive for the virus.

“What that’s going to do is stop the spread, potentially. If you are sick and it’s reported to the health department, which it would be, it’s going to help the trace-backs, the contact tracing as we call it, immensely. Because we would rather you have had zero or one contact once you’re symptomatic than having been out grocery shopping while you are symptomatic,” Rhome said.

Once a person becomes symptomatic, they should isolate themselves immediately, he said.

The Ohio Department of Health and Gov. Mike DeWine’s office released a chart demonstrating the power of social distancing. Rhome brought the chart to the meeting to help explain the importance of the 6-foot distancing rule. The chart depicts two columns — the left column is without the social distancing practice, while the right is with the practice in place.

Without individuals practicing social distancing, one person could potentially infect hundreds of individuals in under 30 days, according to the chart.

“The yellow column on the left hand side, with someone not social distancing. As an example, they would infect 2.5 people every five days. What that looks like on day 30 is 406 people (infected),” he explained.

On the other hand, the right column represents someone coming into contact with half the amount of people, 1.25 people every five days. After 30 days, 15 people are left infected versus the 406 people.

That is the importance of distancing and flattening the cure, Rhome said. Social distancing can significantly reduce the spread of the virus, he noted.

In addition, Rhome announced that Harrison County recently received $30,000 of the $15.6 million provided to the state of Ohio from the Federal Coronavirus Preparedness Supplemental Appropriations Act.

“Ohio was designated $15.6 million. About $10 million of that has gone to local health departments. The remainder was held back for ODH, for their response,” he said.

The minimum that a local health department received was $30,000, he said.

“That allows us to have some flexibility of spending specifically for coronavirus response. If we need technology, if we need any sort of infrastructure or things like that,” he said.

The funds were disbursed per capita and by identified needs, Rhome said. Areas with higher amounts of COVID-19 cases and higher population received larger amounts of funding.

“It will be incredibly helpful,” he said of the funding. “It’s money that we don’t have to spend out of our general fund to respond to this current situation.”

For more information on the coronavirus in Harrison County, follow the HCHD on Facebook where it provides daily updates or visit coronavirus.ohio.gov.

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