Health department reports increasing death rates

WAPAKONETA — Recent data released from the Auglaize County Health Department suggests that people in Auglaize County have been dying from coronavirus at a rate of about one person per day.

In the county, 33 people have died from contributing factors of COVID-19 as of Thursday — a significant increase from the 20 deaths as of Nov. 20.

Data is only posted after the deaths are verified with a death certificate showing COVID-19 as a contributing factor, this can cause delays in posting death information.

Over the summer and much of the fall, only a couple of deaths per month were posted.

Health Commissioner Oliver Fisher called the increased rate “a tragic situation.” He said the majority of recent deaths have been long-term care facility residents.

The Acres at Wapakoneta reported they were COVID-free at the moment, though Human Resources and Business Manager Cindy Brumette acknowledged it has been a rough year.

She said they haven’t let up on any precautions to help keep residents safe, that includes restrictions on visitation.

“When you lose a patient regardless of the reason, it affects staff,” Brumette said.

With the holiday season in full swing, residents have been anxious to see loved ones. Brumette said that 10 days before Christmas, staff will allow window visits by appointment.

In their Thursday Facebook posting, the Auglaize County Health Department reported 42 new cases of COVID-19 from noon Wednesday through noon Thursday, bringing the total cases to 2,732: 2,187 confirmed and 545 probable.

The number of presumed recovered cases are 1,540. Wapakoneta has reported the most cases at 918, followed by St. Marys at 840.