News
Marietta Confirms First Positive Test for COVID-19
By: WOUB News Team
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MARIETTA, Ohio (WOUB) — Officials in Marietta, Ohio confirmed the first positive case of COVID-19 in the city on Sunday, March 22.
According to a release from the Marietta/Belpre City Health Department, the person is a woman in her 50s who traveled outside of Washington County to an area with known cases. She is currently isolated at home.
The Health Department is in the process of notifying individuals who had been in close contact with her with instructions.
“This confirms that COVID-19 is here,” Health Commissioner Anne Goon wrote in the release. “It is essential that we follow the Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton’s orders, this means stay home. The changes we make now will save lives.”
People are asked to practice social distancing while the Marietta/Belpre Health Department completes its disease investigation.
Those who may have mild symptoms are asked to remain at home. If symptoms become more severe, people are asked to contact their primary care physician first.
The Ohio Department of Health confirmed 351 cases of COVID-19 on Sunday at 2 p.m. This release from the Marietta/Belpre Health Department indicated this case would be included among them. However, Washington County was not listed among counties with cases in the 2 p.m. release.
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.