MONDAY MARCH 16, 2020 As 4pm today, the Delaware General Health District has not been notified of any confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Delaware County. Because we are dealing with a rapidly changing situation, the number of people under investigation (PUIs) in Delaware County is becoming a tricky number to track due to the increasing number of cases in Ohio connected to community spread.
We do not give away any personal, identifiable information about residents who may be under investigation. We will continue to monitor potential situations of infectious disease in the community and information will be shared as necessary to protect the public.
NEW! DGHD COVID-19 PLANNING REPORT In order for our staff to understand, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19 in our community, we have to understand our population and those most at risk, including their location. We have added our COVID-19 Planning Report to our website in an effort to help you understand the dynamics of this new virus and who it can drastically impact. PROPER USE OF 9-1-1 Please only call 9-1-1 in a true emergency. If you are worried about symptoms you may be experiencing and/or think you may need to be tested, do not call 9-1-1. Call your doctor or our after-hours line at 740-815-6518. When you do have to call 9-1-1 for an emergency, dispatchers are trained to ask medical questions. However, if you have been told by a medical professional or know you have been with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, please tell the 9-1-1 dispatcher so that first responders can protect themselves upon arrival.
VOTING POSTPONED Gov. DeWine announced today his recommendation to postpone tomorrow's in-person voting until June 2, 2020. Absentee ballots are permitted during that time, but in-person voting will not take place until June 2. CLOSING PLANS The Governor announced today that gyms, movie theatres, indoor water parks, and other similar activity centers are to close. This is in addition to Sunday's order to close restaurants and barswith carry-out and delivery food service still allowed. Click here to view all executive orders in response to COVID-19.ODH CALL CENTER The ODH call center is open all week from 9am-8pm to answer questions regarding COVID-19. The call center can be reached at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).
RISKS AND SYMPTOMS
PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH Social distancing is the practice of reducing close contact between people to slow the spread of infections or diseases. Examples include maintaining six feet from other people, canceling large gatherings and telecommuting to work. For offices and workplaces, it's also important to practice preventative measures, especially when approaching counters, touching public surfaces and not coming in if feeling sick. Offices are invited to use this poster to remind everyone to protect public health!
TO TEST OR NOT NOT TEST Local health departments and primary care doctors are not testing in office. Those who meet the testing criteria will have a specimen taken (mouth or nasal swab) as directed by a doctor. The specimen will then be tested at the ODH lab or by a privately contracted lab. It is important that if you are starting to feel sick that you stay home and contact your doctor before physically going to their office or to the emergency room or urgent care.
HELP A NEIGHBOR OUT! During this time, remember to be kind. Thank those in the service industry, appreciate our healthcare workers, and be patient with your Health District working on the front lines of this outbreak. Also, help an elderly neighbor out -- drop off food at their door, offer to help with yard work or run errands, and call them to make sure they are doing okay!
PROTECT YOURSELF!
DISINFECT SURFACES Practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks) with household cleaners and EPA-registered disinfectants that are appropriate for the surface. Make sure to follow label instructions. Check out Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogensthat are expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. STOP THE SPREAD It is more important than ever that everyone practices these protective steps to stop the spread of illness:
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Cover your coughs and sneezes.
Don't go to work or school when you feel ill. Stay at home and rest.
Avoid exposure to others who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Get adequate sleep and eat well-balanced meals to ensure a healthy immune system.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Click on images below to download prevention flyers for office use
Delaware General Health District
Preventative Health Division
Disease Control and Response Team
740-203-2040
PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH 
