COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Health confirmed Monday there are at least 1,200 statewide COVID-19 cases at long-term care facilities.
WTOL 11, along with partner stations WBNS, in Columbus, and WKYC, in Cleveland, have requested detailed data from the state, including information on the number of cases and deaths in each facility in Ohio. A spokesperson for the ODH said health officials expect to release those numbers on Wednesday.
This comes after Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton signed an order requiring all nursing homes to notify the family of residents when a case is confirmed.
On Monday, federal officials also announced they plan to start tracking cases at nursing homes nationwide and publicly share information on infections and deaths.
WTOL 11 also reached out to every health department in northwest Ohio, asking for detailed information on cases in each facility in their territory. So far, this is the information provided to us:
WOOD COUNTY:
LUCAS COUNTY
A spokesperson for the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department said the ODH is expected to release updated data on Wednesday.
SENECA COUNTY
A spokesperson for the Seneca County Health Department said the ODH is expected to release updated data on Wednesday.
SANDUSKY COUNTY
Sandusky County Health Department officials said that as of Monday, there were no cases nor deaths in any long-term care facilities in the county.
HENRY COUNTY
Henry County Health Department officials said that as of Monday, there were no cases nor deaths in any long-term care facilities in the county.
HURON COUNTY
Huron County Health Department officials said that as of Monday, there were no cases nor deaths in any long-term care facilities in the county.
HANCOCK COUNTY
Hancock County Health Department officials said that as of Monday, there were no cases nor deaths in any long-term care facilities in the county.
PAULDING COUNTY
Paulding County Health Department officials said that as of Monday, there were no cases nor deaths in any long-term care facilities in the county.
FULTON COUNTY
Fulton County Health Department officials said that as of Monday, there were no cases nor deaths in any long-term care facilities in the county.
ERIE COUNTY
Erie County Health Department officials said that as of Monday, there was one case under their jurisdiction in Kingston of Vermillion. Although the facility located in Lorain County, the Erie County Health Department is responsible for overlooking it.
Additionally, there was one confirmed case at Commons of Providence.
PUTNAM COUNTY
A spokesperson for the Putnam County Health Department said, "there is one facility that has had an outbreak of COVID-19, however, as we investigate it and receive other reports of cases in our county, the case count may change frequently throughout the day. Any numbers we provide may not be accurate."
The spokesperson added the ODH will provide the data on Wednesday.
WYANDOT COUNTY
A spokesperson for the Wyandot County Health Department said there are no confirmed cases at nursing homes at this time. However, they added the county will work with the ODH in the future to provide this information through the state's website.
This story is developing. We will continue to keep you updated as more information becomes available.
Facts not fear: Putting COVID-19 into context
WTOL 11’s coverage of the coronavirus is rooted in Facts, not Fear. Visit /coronavirus-covid-19 for comprehensive coverage, find out what you need to know about northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan specifically, learn more about the symptoms and keep tabs on the cases around the world here. Have a question? Text it to us at 419-248-1100.
Protect yourself from coronavirus
- Cover: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Dispose: Throw used tissues in a lined can.
- Wash hands: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
- Hand sanitizer: If soap and water are not readily available, use and alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching: Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.