UC Health announced the positive results earlier in the day.
The four who tested positive were initially seen at UC Health’s West Chester Hospital to receive tests and were released. The test results were returned this morning, Bailer said.
Physicians, nurses, caregivers and staff are taking precautions to protect all patients and staff at UC Health, the system said.
Two other members of the family are quarantined awaiting a test result, and one member is in the hospital awaiting a test result in Butler County, Bailer said. Five of the family members are in their 30s, and two are in their 70s.
There are “many investigations” happening throughout the county, she said.
“None of this should surprise us,” Gov. Mike DeWine said during an afternoon conference to provide updates. “None of this should alarm us.”
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Officials at Butler County’s news conference said those who think they might need to be tested should contact their health provider before going into the office or the emergency room. The provider will ask questions to determine if a test is warranted, Bailer said.
State health officials predict the numbers of confirmed cases in Ohio will continue to not only grow but to accelerate in the coming weeks and perhaps months before possibly plateauing or declining if wide-spread health measures are followed.
Officials said they estimate 1 percent – about 100,000 people – among the state’s population may now be infected.
Earlier this week the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the spreading COVID-19 virus, which was first reported in China months ago, a global pandemic. Some of the other harder hit nations now include Italy, South Korea and Iran.
Gov. Mike DeWine and health officials will provide further updates on coronavirus and the steps Ohio is taking to prevent its spread.
He is expected to speak at 2 p.m. with Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton.
As of Thursday afternoon, DeWine confirmed five cases in Ohio —three in Cuyahoga County, one in Stark County and one in Trumbull County.
The four people treated and released at UC Health West Chester Hospital bring Ohio’s total to nine.
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