Scioto County Commissioner Bryan Davis isn’t surprised that Coronavirus has come to Scioto County. When I reached out to him for a comment after the Portsmouth City Health Department announced a positive test, he said, “The announcement wasn’t unexpected. We’ve known for some time that it was very probable that we have cases. As testing response time improves we will no doubt have more.”
Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton said the same thing during the state’s daily COVID-19 briefing on Saturday. She said that most people with Coronavirus won’t be tested, simply told to stay home and self-isolate by their doctor.
During a national briefing Sunday afternoon, Americans were warned that the peak of the pandemic is set to hit soon. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams asked states that haven’t imposed stay-at-home orders to please implement restrictions on gathering. Adams said the coming week will a “Pearl Harbor moment” for this generation.
Coronavirus cases across the country have topped 330,000 with 9,000 deaths. Nearly half of those deaths, 4200, have been in New York. New York, Detroit and Louisiana are considered to be hot spots for COVID-19.
Ohio currently reports 4,043 confirmed cases of Coronavirus with 119 deaths. So far, there have been relatively few cases in Southeastern Ohio compared with some parts of the state. State officials have long contended that was due to a lack of testing and not that our areas would be spared.
Commissioner Davis said, “We encourage the public to listen to the guidelines being set forth at the national, state and local level and follow the stay-at-home orders and exercise protection of yourself and others. This includes social distancing and wearing a mask while out in public. We are praying for the one who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and for all those impacted by this. We also continue to pray for all those on the front lines fighting this pandemic tonight. Stay vigilant.”