“The common goal among community partners is to provide consistent messaging to our community members,” said Gabe Jones, Champaign County health commissioner. “We discussed using social media to share consistent messages from our state and national partners with our community.“
No cases of the respiratory virus had been confirmed in Ohio as of Friday.
The Clark County Combined Health District is also working to prepare the public for the virus, said Emma Smales, health planning supervisor and public information officer.
“Multiple health alerts have been sent to health care professionals and schools in Clark County to help identify potential cases, clarify symptoms and risk guidance and communicate constantly evolving information,” she said.
The health district has weekly conference calls with the CDC and ODH, they share prevention strategies and personal preparedness information on their social media and website, have weekly meetings with local partners such as hospitals, attend statewide meetings as need be, and are in contact with regional partners such as public health, Smales said.
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Schools in Champaign and Clark Counties are also working with the health districts to stay current and promote preventative strategies.
The Springfield City School District also continues to stay in communication and monitor information about the virus, said Superintendent Bob Hill.
“The SCSD has communicated to families through phone calls, encouraged the use of good health habits,” he said. “Preparation and prevention are our focus.”
This district also works daily to disinfect the schools, Hill said.
“The district’s custodial team has worked to disinfect classrooms, shared areas, restrooms and buses through the use of a hospital-grade cleaning tool,” he said.
The Mechanicsburg Exempted Village School District is following several organizations to stay up to date, said Superintendent Danielle Prohaska.
“The district has attended updates from the health department, listened to webinars and collaborated with area districts and agencies to share current information,” said Prohaska.
The district has been talking about prevention strategies since the beginning of flu season, Prohaska said.
“Prevention is not something that is new to the district, which is why regular classroom routines include preventative measures,” she said. “The district has shared preventative tips with families and will continue to do so going forward. As well, the district will continue to ensure effective cleaning on a nightly basis and supply all rooms with hand sanitizer and wipes to clean surfaces during the day as needed.”
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The Ohio Department of Health will release updated numbers regarding the virus at 2 p.m. Monday through Friday on how many people are under investigation and any confirmed cases.
As of Thursday, three people are under investigation and seven people have tested negative.
Ohio remains at a low risk for the virus, but the risk can be reduced by practicing the following:
- Wash your hands frequently. If that is unavailable, use hand sanitizer
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when you cough or sneeze
- Do not touch your mouth, eyes or nose with unwashed hands
- Avoid contact with others, especially if one of you are sick
- Practice good health habits such as sleep, activity and diet
- Stay home if you are sick and do not return to work or school until you are fever free for 24 hours without medication
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