The number of COVID-19 cases in Scioto County jumped six cases to 27. Scioto County Health Commissioner, Dr. Michael Martin, blamed the spike on vacationers bringing the virus home. In other COVID-19 news, Governor Mike DeWine wants you to get tested for COVID-19. He demonstrated how easy it is by submitting to a test during his live COVID-19 update on Tuesday.
Travelers To Blame
Scioto County Health Commissioner, Dr. Michael Martin, blamed travelers to COVID-19 hotspots for the spike in Coronavirus cases in the county. He said the cases are a result of people traveling to places like Myrtle Beach and Daytona Beach and not taking proper precautions.
Dr. Martin said people should reconsider travel to these areas. If you do travel, you should avoid large crowds, practice social distancing, wear a mask in public, and wash your hands often.
The Portsmouth City and Scioto County Health Departments are conducting contact tracing and isolation protocol for the new cases.
Easy Testing
A member of the Ohio National Guard tested the Governor, Mrs. DeWine, and Lt. Governor Jon Husted. The nursing student inserted swabs in their nostrils. A sampling of all three took less than five minutes.
The Governor used the opportunity to remind Ohioans of the pop-up testing locations around the state, including one in Portsmouth on Wednesday. “Anyone can get a test.”
The National Guard will be on hand at Compass Community Health Center to test up to 500 people. Normally, to get a test at Compass Community Health Center, you must call ahead to set up an appointment and pass a screening. For the pop-up testing event, so appointments are required. Anyone who wants a test can have one. Just show up to Compass Community Health Center at 1634 11th Street on Wednesday, June 24. Testing hours are between 9 am and 4 pm or as long as the test kits last.
The samples will be sent to local labs and results should be back with 48 hours.
Social Distance
The Governor urged Ohioans to continue keeping physical distancing and wearing masks. He said Ohio’s COVID-19 numbers are pretty good but there has been an uptick in some parts of the state, especially Southwest Ohio.
Current COVID-19 numbers stand at:
- Cases – 46,127
- Deaths – 2,735
- Scioto County – 27
In the last 24 hours both the number of cases and deaths were up over the 21-day average.