News
Athens Co. Confirms One Death Related To COVID-19, 9 New Cases For Feb. 8
By: Aaron Payne
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Athens County has now had 12 total deaths related to COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic after one was confirmed Monday. The county now also has had 4,230 total cases of COVID-19 after 9 new cases were reported the same day.
The Ohio Department of Health confirmed the death and new cases on Feb. 8, 2021.
Analysis of ODH data indicates the death involved a person in their 60s.
The Athens-City County Health Department said in a statement Monday that the number of reported deaths related to COVID-19 in the county will jump into the 20s this week.
“The increase is a result of known deaths that occurred mid to late January who were residents of long-term care facilities in Athens County. While the outbreaks at these facilities have subsided, it is not uncommon for there to be a delay in reporting as a result of the death certification process.”
Regarding the new cases, three involved people aged 70-79, two involved people aged 20-29, two involved people aged 30-39, one involved a person aged 50-59 and one involved a person aged 60-69.
An addition case involving a person in their 60s required hospitalization. According to the data, 159 people in Athens County have been hospitalized due to complications related to this coronavirus since the start of the pandemic.
There are 546 known active cases in the county as of Monday and 3,672 recovered cases, according to the Athens City-County Health Department.
The department also announced it has administered 2,550 total first COVID-19 vaccine doses and 396 total second COVID-19 vaccine doses through its clinic at Ohio University Heritage Hall as of Monday.
Anyone experiencing respiratory symptoms is asked to call their primary care physician, urgent care, or emergency department before arriving for care to let them know that they believe they are experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19 virus.
ODH 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.
