Area residents could be part of virus study
Ohio Department of Health, Ohio State to test 1,200 at random.
People randomly selected to participate in a joint Ohio Department of Health and Ohio State coronavirus study likely got letters in the mail last week.
The study will test participants for current or past coronavirus infection so that researchers can study how the virus works.
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and Ohio State University are researching the spread of the coronavirus in Ohio by testing approximately 1,200 adults, chosen at random. Those selected should have gotten a letter with details. You have the right to decline participating in the study.
Several area cities sent out information about the study to their residents so that they would know it was not a scam.
Vandalia city spokesman Rich Hopkins said he doesn’t think anyone in Vandalia was chosen.
Testing started on July 9 and is expected to wrap up on July 28, according to the Ohio Department of Health.
“Vandalia likely did not have anyone selected, but we figured it would probably help the study with credibility if someone is asked to participate,” Hopkins said.
Thursday, Xenia Police Department put out a similar alert to residents on its Facebook page.
“We are often contacted by people who are concerned that they are being targeted for one scam or another,” read the XPD post. “In order to prevent some of those fears, we want to let you know about a study being conducted by the State of Ohio.”
Xenia Police said they do not have information on which households were selected for the study, but directed residents to the ODH question line, (833) 427-5634.
ODH is reporting 62,856 total cases of coronavirus and 3,032 deaths attributed to the virus in Ohio. The state surpassed 60,000 cases on Tuesday. Ohio saw 1,525 cases reported from Thurs- day to Friday.
The state is reporting there have been 8,570 hospitaliza- tions and 2,146 ICU admissions since the outbreak.
Coronavirus hospitalizations have continued to increase during the pandemic and there has been an uptick in coronavirus cases over the past month.
On June 26, three were 619 coronavirus patients in hospital. As of Thursday, there are 905, Gov. Mike DeWine said.
Selected par t icipants would be interviewed about their health, background and behaviors, have their blood drawn and have a nasal swab sample collected. The department said results can be expected within two weeks and will be shared directly with the individual tested.
The study is independent from local health depart- ments, according to Greene County Public Health public information officer, Laurie Fox. It’s not known whether any local residents were asked to participate, Fox added.
“The results of this study will help us understand the spread and impact of COVID19 throughout the state,” according to a release from ODH and The Ohio State University. “Additionally, this information may allow state agencies to prepare for the distribution of resources to meet local needs.”