HCPH to host COVID-19 test kit distribution event

NORWALK — Huron County Public Health (HCPH) will be hosting a COVID-19 drive-thru test kit distribution event at HCPH's main location in Norwalk. The event is free to the public, and details of the event are as follows: • 3 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23. • Huron County Public Health, 28 Executive Dr., Norwalk, Ohio 44857. • Test kits will be distributed at four kits per vehicle, while supplies last. Individuals with questions about the event can call HCPH at 419-668-1652 ext. 222. HCPH encourages all eligible individuals to practice good hand hygiene by frequently washing your hands with soap and water and/or using hand sanitizer, stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines and get tested for COVID-19 if you develop symptoms. Little change in latest COVID-19 report It was just about a wash in the latest Huron County's COVID-19 update. The report, covering Feb. 10 to 16, has a case count of 26 — a slight decrease from 28 cases for the previous week's reporting period. The highest number of cases for this week were in the 41 to 50 and 51 to 60 age groups. Seven Zip Codes in Huron County reported cases this week, with the highest infection rate in the Willard area Zip Codes (44890, 44850, 44807). Important Notes About This Report COVID-19 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. For 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 Wastewater Monitoring Network Wastewater monitoring for COVID-19 is a real-time, leading indicator that provides trend information regarding what is occurring in a community. Wastewater monitoring data, along with the number of positive individuals that have been tested at medical facilities and hospitalization information, are data sources that can be used to help inform local communities about the level of COVID-19 in their communities. There are currently four active COVID-19 wastewater monitoring sites in Huron County including Norwalk, Monroeville, Wakeman, and New London. Information about the COVID-19 Wastewater Monitoring Program can be found at https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/dashboards/other-resources/wastewater.