Hamilton County, OH – Today, Hamilton County Public Health (HCPH) reported the deaths of two patients who had tested positive for COVID-19.
The first patient was a man in his 60s with underlying health conditions. The second was a man in his 50s, also with underlying health conditions. Both acquired COVID-19 through unknown sources.
“On behalf of all of Hamilton County, we express our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the patients who died,” said interim Hamilton County health commissioner Greg Kesterman. “We are heartbroken and we extend our sympathies and support to all in Hamilton County and Ohio who are battling this illness. We will not release any identifiable information about the patients to respect privacy.”
Hamilton County Public Health has been working tirelessly preparing for and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are reaching out to all known contacts of COVID-19 cases to make sure we help prevent the spread of this disease,” Kesterman adds. “These deaths are tragic and we’re doing everything in our power to flatten the curve and prevent as many of these unfortunate outcomes as we can.”
It is important to continue to follow standard precautions to prevent the spread of infectious disease. “The most important thing we can do right now is stay at home,” Kesterman says. “Staying at home and social distancing if you must go out are already having an effect on flattening the curve.”
To prevent the spread of any virus including novel coronavirus, practice these preventative measures:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your elbow.
Ohioans can also call the Ohio Department of Health COVID-19 hotline with any questions or visit www.hcph.org or www.coronavirus.ohio.gov. The call center is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).
The 2019 novel coronavirus was first identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019. The virus can spread from an infected person to another person through close (within about six feet) personal contact, usually through droplets from a sneeze or a cough.
The novel coronavirus is a respiratory illness and symptoms can include fever, cough and difficulty breathing. It can take as many as 14 days for the symptoms to appear after a person has been exposed to the virus.
# # #
Hamilton County Public Health works to assure the 480,000 citizens living outside the cities of Cincinnati, Norwood and Springdale are safe from disease, injury and contamination.
Contact: Mike Samet, Public Information Officer
Phone: 513-946-7873
E-mail: mike.samet@hamilton-co.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 1, 2020
