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Gallia County Confirms First Positive Test for COVID-19
< < Back toGALLIPOLIS, Ohio (WOUB) — Gallia County is reporting its first postitive case of COVID-19.
The Gallia County Health Department confirmed the result on Facebook Friday, March 20 at 4:16 p.m.
They were fully aware this was only a matter of time, as state health officials have said coronavirus has spread further than what current tests indicate.
The public is asked to not call the Gallia County Health Department regarding questions about the case at this time. Officials said they were in the process of completing their disease investigation and would notify relevant individuals.
According to a statement from Holzer Health System, the patient was not tested at their facility in Gallia County.
“At this time, we have no confirmed cases at any Holzer facility,” according to the statement.
The department reminded people not to panic, practice good social distancing and not congregate in large groups.
The Ohio Department of Health confirmed 169 cases of COVID-19 on Friday at 2 p.m. This case in Gallia County was confirmed after that update.
The DOH makes the following recommendations to protect yourself from illness:
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; dry hands with a clean towel or air dry hands.
- Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are unavailable.
- Cover your mouth with a tissue or sleeve when sneezing or coughing. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
Ohio’s coronavirus call center is open to answer questions from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The hotline number is 1-833-4-ASK-ODH or 1-833-427-5634. More information is available at coronavirus.ohio.gov.