COVID-19 numbers dip is latest report

NORWALK — There was a big drop in COVID-19 cases in the latest reporting period for Huron County. The number of reported cases from Aug. 12 to 18 was 138 cases — a decrease from 159 cases for the previous reporting period. The average age of cases increased from 47 to 48, with the highest number of cases for this week in the 31 to 40 age range. Nine of the 11 Zip Codes in Huron County reported cases this week, with the highest infection rate in the Bellevue (44811) Zip Code. Of important note, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its COVID-19 guidance. As of 8/11/22, takeaways from this update include the following: • If you are exposed to COVID-19, quarantine is no longer suggested. Watch for symptoms for 10 days and wear a mask around others when indoors, test 5 days after exposure (or sooner if you have symptoms) and take extra precautions for 10 days when around people more likely to get very sick. Read updated exposure guidelines here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019- ncov/your-health/if-you-were-exposed.html. • If you test positive for COVID-19, you should stay home and isolate for five days, ending isolation on day 6 if you never had symptoms or you are fever-free for 24 hours and other symptoms have improved. Wear a mask around others through day 10 or use 2 negative antigen tests to decide when to stop wearing a mask. If you were moderately or severely ill, extend isolation through day 10. Read updated isolation guidelines here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your- health/isolation.html. In alignment with the CDC's updated guidance, HCPH reminds residents of the importance of evaluating personal risk before leaving your home to go to public indoor locations, poorly ventilated spaces or crowds with others whom you do not reside with. Remember: some people are more likely than others to become severely ill from COVID-19 and should take enhanced precautions; for example, older adults, individuals with compromised or weakened immune systems, and people with certain medical conditions (such as cancer, chronic kidney/liver/lung disease, cystic fibrosis, neurological/mental health conditions, diabetes, heart conditions, HIV infection, sickle cell disease, thalassemia, etc.; read full list here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra- precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html). Regardless of whether or not you are part of a high-risk group, everyday preventative measures such as covering your coughs and sneezes, staying home when sick and washing your hands often can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (and other viruses like colds and the flu). Case counts included in this report are estimates for the reporting period based on reports generated from the Ohio Department of Health (ODH)'s Ohio Disease Reporting System (ODRS). These data may be impacted by several factors, including but not limited to: • Lack of reporting individual cases (for example, if a self-administered at-home test kit results positive but individual case information is not reported to HCPH or recorded in the ODRS, this case will not be counted by ODH or included in this report); and • Reporting delays with the electronic reporting of cases, especially during surge periods. Continued Updates HCPH reminds residents to continue to use reputable sources for information about COVID-19, including www.huroncohealth.com, www.coronavirus.ohio.gov and www.cdc.gov. Statewide COVID-19 case data can be found on the Ohio Department of Health's COVID-19 Dashboard at: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/dashboards. COVID-19 vaccination data can be found on the Ohio Department of Health's COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard at: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/dashboards/covid-19-vaccine/covid-19-vaccination- dashboard.