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Williams County Reports First Case of COVID-19
By: Sheila McCrea - Thursday, April 2, 2020


Montpelier, OH – The Williams County Health Department (WCHD) is reporting the first lab-confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19) for a Williams County resident.

The WCHD is working to identify any close contacts of this resident who would require testing or monitoring for symptoms of COVID-19. No personal information about the individual will be provided in order to protect personal privacy; however, the Williams County Health Department will be monitoring the patient throughout the isolation period.

Williams County Health Commissioner James D. Watkins says they “are working closely with the Ohio Department of Health, following protocols and guidance in place, to identify close contacts of this individual”. He said those individuals will be instructed to self-quarantine and will be monitored for 14 days.

Watkins said the news of a COVID-19 case in Williams County “is not a surprise”. He says WCHD along with hospitals, healthcare providers, and community partners have been actively preparing to respond to possible cases of COVID-19 and community interventions are in place that are designed to slow transmission.

According to public health experts at the Ohio Department of Health, many Ohioans are infected unknowingly with COVID-19, indicating community spread of COVID-19. This means that as lab-confirmed cases continue to increase in Williams County, community members must be aware that there are more cases than reported.

Dr. Amy Acton, Director of the Ohio Department of Health believes the cases reported publicly are only the tip of the iceberg. Health officials say slowing the rate of the infection is critical to save lives, and the steps the community and individuals take now will delay the sharp spike in cases that could occur if the community does not take preventative measures.



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