Coronavirus: More deaths reported in Miami, Darke counties

The actions residents are taking are flattening the curve from where it was expected to hit during the peak of the coronavirus outbreak, Montgomery County Health Commissioner Jeff Cooper said.

Public health officials will never know the true number of cases in the area, he said.

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“We have community spread, we have limited testing ability, many individuals do not show symptoms but can spread virus, and a lot of individuals are simply ill and they self care at home,” Cooper said. “I think the take home message from all that is, as an individual, assume that anyone you come in contact may be infected with this virus. That’s the brutal reality of what we’re dealing with in this community, the state and across the nation.”

Montgomery County has 147 confirmed coronavirus cases as of Wednesday, up from 132 test-confirmed cases Tuesday.

Seven Darke County nursing home patients who tested positive for the coronavirus have died.

The Darke County General Health District reported the most recent death Wednesday, and said that all seven were associated with the Greenville Health and Rehabilitation facility.

There are 38 confirmed cases in the county, with 31 linked to the cluster of cases at the nursing home.

Greene County Public Health has noted 14 days of decreased reports for COVID-19. Fourteen days represents one incubation period for COVID-19. The county has one newly confirmed case, pushing the total tally up to 21.

MORE: Coronavirus: 14 deaths reported in Miami County

Clark has 13 confirmed cases, Champaign has five.

Preble County Public Health reported its first death Wednesday, with eight confirmed cases.

In Warren County, there’s one new confirmed case, putting the county at 46 confirmed cases.

Two more deaths of people associated with COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus were reported Wednesday in Miami County.

That brings the total to 14 deaths, with the majority linked to a cluster of cases at two nursing homes, Koester Pavilion in Troy and SpringMeade Health Center in Tipp City. The two additional deaths did not happen recently, and likely were added based on new state directives.

“Under the new guidelines, individuals who may have not been tested but are listed with a ‘probable COVID-19’ status, will be included in COVID-19 related deaths,” Miami County Public Health said in a release.

Miami County Coroner Dr. William Ginn said he did not yet have information on the two additional deaths.

There are 107 confirmed cases with 41 hospitalizations in Miami County, according to the latest Ohio Department of Health data. The cases involve people ranging in age from less than 1 year to 96, the county public health department reported.

Cooper said he wanted to recognize the work Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton are doing to make Ohio a national leader in responding to the pandemic.

“Clearly they are taking protective actions, making very difficult decisions, and we all need to recognize the tireless commitment they’re making to make sure every Ohioan is protected to the degree possible,” Cooper said.

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