Health agency confirms 1st death by COVID-19

The Erie County Health Department early March 21 announced the death of the county’s first novel coronavirus victim.

“We are sad to report that an 85-year old male from Erie County, Ohio, has passed away from complications related to COVID-19 on the evening of March 20, 2020,” the health department statement said. “This was Erie County, Ohio’s first confirmed COVID-19 case.”

Erie County Health Commissioner Peter Schade declined to release additional details.

As of late March 21, there were no other confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county, Schade said.

About 20 tests had come back negative for the disease, but health officials were awaiting test results

from another person who was ill with possible symptoms of the disease, Schade said.

According to the federal Centers for Disease Control, adults age 65 years and older are at higher risk for severe illness.

“COVID-19 is a new disease, and we are learning more about it every day,” the statement said. “The

Erie County Health Department will continue to work closely with all partners and continue to work as a unified incident command system to keep Erie County, Ohio, as healthy as possible.”

With this sad news comes heightened awareness of the personal hygiene steps to slow the spread of COVID-19.

“The death of one of our community members is a striking reminder to us all to heed the precautions associated with preventing the spread of this disease,” the statement said.

• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

• Avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes.

• Cover coughs and

sneezes with your arm.

• Avoid exposure to others who are sick.

• Stay home if you are ill.

• Avoid groups of 10 people or more and mass gatherings of 50 people or more as these are prohibited.

• Keep at least 6 feet distance between yourself and others.

Area residents should call their healthcare providers

for treatment.

Firelands Regional Medical Center also has created the Firelands Virtual Care smartphone app to seek medical care at home.