Shelby reports 2 coronavirus deaths

SHELBY -- The city of Shelby’s coronavirus death toll rose to 19 on Friday, Jan. 8 with the announcement of two additional deaths.

Word of the deaths was included in an email update from Shelby Mayor Steve Schag.

No names, ages or circumstances were detailed.

Since the pandemic’s start in March, four of Shelby’s 19 coronavirus deaths are from the general population and 15 from long-term care, Schag reported on Friday.

Shelby’s previous coronavirus deaths were on Sept. 29, Dec. 2, Dec. 3, Dec. 12, Dec. 16, Dec. 26, Dec. 29 when two were reported, Dec. 30, Jan. 4 when three COVID19 deaths were reported by Shelby and Jan. 6 when five deaths were reported.

On Friday, the Shelby City Health Department also reported four new cases and nine recovered cases over the previous 24 hours.

The department was monitoring 67 active cases (23 general population and 44 long-term care facility population) with 61 individuals in quarantine (21 general population and 40 long-term care facility), Schag wrote.

Six people were hospitalized on Friday.

“The department has documented a total of 601 individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 since the outbreak began in March,” Schag said. “Of that cumulative number, 515 individuals have attained recovered/resolved status.”

He noted that Richland County is now under a Level 3, red status in Ohio’s color-coded coronavirus advisory system.

“Citizens are strongly urged to stay at home when possible and to follow all COVID-19 protocols and health department guidelines, including: frequent and thorough hand washing, careful sanitization, strict physical/social distancing (whether inside or outside of the home), and the consistent wearing of face coverings,” Schag added.