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Athens City Council Unanimously Passes Face Mask Ordinance
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Face coverings are now required in most public places in Athens after City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Monday night during a special online meeting. The ordinance will go into effect as soon as Mayor Steve Patterson, Council President Chris Knisely, and Clerk of Council Debbie Walker sign it. Patterson said… Read More
Athens City Council Considering Ordinance Requiring Face Coverings In Public
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Athens City Council is one step closer to approving an ordinance requiring face masks in public places. Council members, the mayor, and community members discussed the merits of the current draft during at a committee of the whole emergency meeting on Friday evening conducted via video conference. Athens County has seen a spike… Read More
Athens County Libraries Reopen, With Some Changes
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Athens County Public Libraries reopened on Tuesday, with some changes in place to meet state and local guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Visitors are asked to keep at least six feet of distance between other patrons and library staff, and not to visit the library if they are feeling… Read More
Elective Surgeries May Resume, Finances At Rural Hospitals Still Threatened By COVID-19
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — On Wednesday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signaled that restrictions on elective medical procedures may ease soon. Still, it may take time for hospitals to catch up financially. Amy Acton, Director of the Ohio Department of Health, ordered all hospitals to postpone elective surgeries and medical procedures in March. This measure was… Read More
Athens Community Collaborates to Make Protective Masks
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Athens businesses and citizens are combining their resources and talents to supply protective masks for the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended that all Americans wear masks when they are out in public. Healthcare workers and people at higher risk for contracting COVID-19 need medical-grade masks, but… Read More
Ohio University Community Connects Across Continents To Provide PPE For Athens
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) –A group of Chinese and Taiwanese staff members at Ohio University started a task force to supply local healthcare workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are now calling on the community to further the cause and have set up a donation fund through the Athens Foundation. Last… Read More
Perry County Confirms First Case of COVID-19
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
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PERRY CO., Ohio (WOUB) — Perry County has confirmed its first case of COVID-19. Health Commissioner Angela DeRolph made the announcement on Tuesday in a Facbook video. The patient is a 58-year-old woman who is now in isolation, according to DeRolph. She added the health department will reach out to anyone who has been in… Read More
Hocking Co. Health Commissioner Orders all Cabins, Lodges Closed
By: WOUB News Team
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HOCKING COUNTY, Ohio (WOUB) — Cabin and lodge rentals in the the county that hosts Hocking Hills State Park will be closed as a precaution to the coronavirus pandemic. Hocking County Health Commissioner Dr. Douglas S. Fisher ordered all cabin and lodge rentals closed as of Monday night for public health reasons. This applies to… Read More
Most Ohio Kroger Stores to Begin Special Shopping Hours for Seniors and Other High-Risk Customers
By: WOUB News Team
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WESTERVILLE, Ohio (WOUB) — Kroger stores in most of Ohio will dedicate time for seniors and other customers at high risk for contracting the novel coronavirus to shop. This does not apply to Ohio’s Kroger locations in Marietta, Proctorville, and Belpre; see more information about this below. According to a press release, most Ohio Kroger… Read More
After Drop in Number of Blood Drives, Red Cross Needs Donors in Southeast Ohio
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Colleges, universities, and K-12 schools are cancelling events nationwide due to the novel coronavirus, which means fewer opportunities for the American Red Cross to hold blood drives. Jackie McCune, district manager for the Central Ohio Blood Region – South and North Team, said her team relies on high schools, colleges, and… Read More
Athens Health Commissioner Emphasizes Social Distancing, Hand-Washing to Stay Healthy
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Athens County’s top health official says avoiding major public events and washing your hands properly are two important ways to prevent getting sick from flu or the novel coronavirus. Dr. James Gaskell, Health Commissioner at the Athens City-County Health Department, said he and his staff are paying close attention to the… Read More
Marietta College Moves to Online-Only Classes
By: WOUB News Team
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MARIETTA, Ohio (WOUB) — Marietta College has moved to online-only classes until further notice, after Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s recommendation that all colleges and universities suspend in-person instruction. Faculty will inform students on how to access online coursework. Bill Ruud, president of the college, said in a statement that campus will remain open. The Human… Read More
Athens City Schools Suspends Instruction For Two Weeks
By: WOUB News Team
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Athens City Schools will be closed to students from March 16-March 30 in response to three confirmed cases of coronavirus in Ohio, according to Superintendent Tom Gibbs. All practices, meetings, and events have been cancelled, with the exception of March 19’s Board of Education meeting. ” With our proximity to Ohio… Read More
Ohio University Moves to Online-Only Classes, Advises Students to Stay Home
By: WOUB News Team
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Ohio University is suspending in-person instruction on all campuses and locations until at least March 30 and advises any students who traveled over spring break not to return to campus in an effort to prevent illness. President Duane Nellis said Tuesday in an email that the university is moving to virtual… Read More
Study Finds Coal Closures Saved Thousands Of Lives
By: Brittany Patterson | Ohio Valley ReSource
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A new study finds the closure of coal-fired power plants and transition to natural gas generation across the United States over a decade saved an estimated 26,610 lives due to a reduction in air pollution, with about a fifth of those avoided deaths in the Ohio Valley. The coal-rich Ohio Valley states received outsized health… Read More
Ohio Health Department Reports Drop In Flu Hospitalizations
By: Associated Press
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Ohio health officials say the number of flu-related hospitalizations fell below 100 last week as an unusually severe season comes to an end. The Ohio Department of Health reported 92 flu-related hospitalizations from March 1 to March 7, down from 135 a week earlier. The figures reported Friday brought the season’s total hospitalizations to 8,074,… Read More
Ohio Health Department Reports Drop in Flu Hospitalizations
By: Associated Press
Posted on:
Ohio health officials say the number of flu-related hospitalizations fell below 100 last week as an unusually severe season comes to an end. The Ohio Department of Health reported 92 flu-related hospitalizations from March 1 to March 7, down from 135 a week earlier. The figures reported Friday brought the season’s total hospitalizations to 8,074,… Read More