PARMA, Ohio — While there are no new confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Ohio, that number is expected to increase as testing ramps up in the coming days, said Cuyahoga County Board of Health Commissioner Terry Allan during a news briefing Wednesday.
"I anticipate in the coming days we will see more confirmed cases in Ohio because testing is ramping up. I would say in the next week or two that we will see that curve around testing increase more broadly," said Allan.
Two pathways for testings
If you are very ill and meet the Center for Disease Control's guidance for being tested, then you will work with a clinician and the local health department. Then, officials will arrange for shipment of samples to the state health department. The turn around time for testing is 24 hours.
Right now, the state reports it has capacity to do about 300-400 tests.
Second tier: In the clinical setting, there are two national labs working with hospital systems to test those who are less ill. Those samples move through normal testing procedures for other conditions in hospitals. That may take three to five days, which Allan said increases the local capacity for testing.
In his 30 years of experience in public health working during other pandemics such as H1N1 and Ebola, Allan said he hasn't seen such a fluid situation, as COVID-19 is changing rapidly. Local health officials are working with state officials as the situation develops.
He admits health officials would liked to have seen more testing done, but understands the majority of the testing was started in areas where cases were first recognized
"We have to make sure testing is available first for folks who most need it. Given what's happening in Seattle, we understand their need for adequate testing," Allan said.
Most at-risk
Those who remain most at-risk include seniors, people with chronic illnesses and with limited lung function. Allan said he understands limiting someone's movement is disruptive but says it's necessary.
Is there a vaccine or treatment?
Alan said there is not a vaccine or treatment for the coronavirus.
Biggest concerns from callers
Health officials said the most type of calls they receive from the public include questions about vaccinations, treatment, planned trips and fragile relatives.
There are no treatments or vaccinations for COVID-19. Allan warns the public to look out for one another as there are scams promising vaccinations for the virus.
The board of health said the briefings will continue until the COVID-19 situation no longer merits daily messaging.
Additional Coronavirus information and resources:
Below you can find information and resources on novel coronavirus, COVID-19, from local, state, national and international organizations, including the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, the Ohio Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization.
News 5 will continue to update this section with new information, resources, links, and more as it is made available.
COVID-19/2019 Novel Coronavirus Overview from the CDC:
“2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV/COVID-19) is a virus (more specifically, a coronavirus) identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. At this time, it’s unclear how easily or sustainably this virus is spreading between people. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people such as with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).”
“When person-to-person spread has occurred with MERS and SARS, it is thought to have happened mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread. Spread of MERS and SARS between people has generally occurred between close contacts.”
Global case numbers are reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) in their coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation reportexternal icon.
Coronavirus in Ohio:
As of Tuesday, March 10, there were three confirmed cases of coronavirus in Ohio, all in Cuyahoga County, outside of Cleveland. Fifteen persons were under investigation for the disease.
According to the governor, two of the confirmed cases are from a married couple that went on a cruise on the Nile River.
The other case is from a person that went to the AIPAC conference in Washington D.C. According to a cantor from the Jewish Temple in Beachwood, 160 people from Cleveland attended the conference.
The three patients are between 54 and 56-years-old, according to officials. None of the positive cases have been hospitalized at this time.
READ MORE: Ohio's 3 coronavirus cases are in Cuyahoga County; Gov. DeWine declares state of emergency
On Tuesday, after consulting with medical experts, Gov. DeWine announced wide-ranging, statewide recommendations, including holding sporting events without spectators and having colleges and universities switch to remote learning.
See the Coronavirus information page on the Ohio Department of Health's website for the latest numbers of confirmed cases and persons under investigation.
From News 5 and affiliates:
News 5's Coronavirus continuing coverage page
Worldwide Coronavirus Tracker from Johns Hopkins University
EPA releases list of approved disinfectants to use against COVID-19
How to protect yourself from coronavirus when flying
Think you may have the coronavirus? Here’s what to do
A state of emergency was issued in Ohio following 3 positive COVID-19 cases. Here's what it means.
Cuyahoga County Medical Director answers your questions about coronavirus
Symptoms
The symptoms of coronavirus are fever and lower respiratory tract issues, such as cough and shortness of breath, according to the Cuyahoga County Board of Health.
Travel
Anyone traveling internationally should review plans in advance of their trip, and check the CDC’s COVID-19 Travel Information Page for daily updates and travel alerts.
Click here for the CDC COVID-19 Travel Information Page
Practice Good Hygiene
The CCBH recommends the following good hygiene practices to prevent coronavirus, as well as the flu, colds and other illnesses:
Sneeze or cough into the bend of your elbow to keep germs from spreadingRegularly wash your hands with soap and water/use alcohol-based hand sanitizer in betweenDon’t share cups, spoons, forks, etc. with anyoneDon’t make food for anyone if you are sickDon’t go to work or school if you are sickVisit a doctor, urgent care or emergency department if you are sick – don’t take chances
Please contact your medical provider with any questions.
Guidance for those with compromised immune systems
Click here for specific guidance from the CCBH for anyone at higher risk for becoming ill.
Additional Resources
Cuyahoga County: See the CCBH page on coronavirus here.
Ohio Department of Health:
Click here for the Ohio Department of Health’s Coronavirus information page.
It is updated daily at 2 p.m. with the current number of confirmed cases, persons under investigation and persons under investigation who tested negative for the disease.
More resources from ODH:
Fact sheet
Prevention infographic
Resources and information
Ohio Secretary of State:
Corona Facts: Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has launched a web page dedicated to providing facts about coronavirus' impacts on voting and the Primary Election in Ohio.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The CCBH has created this list of coronavirus-related resources from the CDC:
Homepage for COVID-19 materials and information
Fact sheet – Chinese
Fact sheet – English
Fact sheet – Spanish
Guidance for businesses
Guidance for colleges and universities
Guidance for communities and mass gatherings
Guidance for healthcare facilities
Guidance for healthcare professionals
Guidance for people with elevated risk for illness
Guidance for pregnant women
Guidance for risk assessment
Guidance for schools
Guidance for travelers
What you can do to stop the spread of COVID-19 – Chinese
What you can do to stop the spread of COVID-19 – English
What you can do to stop the spread of COVID-19 – Spanish
If you are sick with COVID-19 – Chinese
If you are sick with COVID-19 – English
If you are sick with COVID-19 – Spanish
Preventing spread of COVID-19 at election/polling/voting locations
Prevention and treatment
Symptoms – overview
World Health Organization
Coronavirus information
Mythbusters – the truth about food, packages, pets and other things related to COVID-19
Video – What is COVID-19?
Video – What is my risk of getting COVID-19?
Video – How can I protect myself from COVID-19?