Update: Erie County has first COVID-19 death

SANDUSKY — A man diagnosed as the first COVID-19 patient in Erie County died Friday. "He was very sick and on a ventilator," Erie County Health Commissioner Pete Schade told the Register Friday evening. The 85-year-old man died sometime after 4 p.m., Schade said. He was Erie County's first known and first confirmed COVID-19 infection, according to a news release from the health department. "This is Erie County's first positive case of COVID-19 thus far. This virus is believed to be present in many areas of the state, including those counties that have not yet received a test result confirming COVID-19," the release states. The man was being treated in an ICU unit at an area hospital, Schade said. It's yet to be determined how the man contracted the disease, whether he traveled to an area of high concentration of cases, or if it is a community transmission, Schade said. As of Friday, Ohio had 169 confirmed cases in 28 counties, with one confirmed death, and 39 people hospitalized. By comparison, on Monday, Ohio had 50 confirmed cases in 12 counties. The number of confirmed cases is considered low because testing is still not widely available. The case in Erie County was confirmed after the state's official tally was announced on Friday. The first death in Ohio happened this week. Mark Wagoner Sr., 76, a Toledo attorney who died Wednesday, is the father of Mark Wagoner Jr., who formerly represented Erie County in the Ohio Senate. "It is important now more than ever to continue to follow an ALL COMMUNITY approach to help minimize the spread of COVID-19," the news release states. "You can do this by continuing to social distance yourself. Avoid groups of 10 people or more and mass gatherings of 50 people or more as these are prohibited." The health department news release repeated the instructions residents have been receiving. • Keep at least 6 feet distance between yourself and others. • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds • Avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes, cover coughs/sneezes with your arm • Avoid exposure to others who are sick, stay home if you are ill. • Contact your personal physician if you're experiencing any symptoms, such as persistent fever or cough. Residents who use Firelands Regional Medical Center as their primary care facility are encouraged to use the Firelands Virtual Care app, which can be downloaded from your smartphone at an app store, or at https://www.firelands.com/care-treatment/firelands-virtual-care/ Employers also are being called to take extra precautions with their workforce. Sanitizing procedures should be increased in work settings and temperatures of employees should be taken every day at the start of a shift. Thermometers in use should be disinfected using a wash, rinse, and sanitizing procedure. Please visit www.eriecohealthohio.org for these guidelines. Residents may also call the Erie County COVID-19 Information Center at 567-867-3243 or visit www.ErieCoHealthOhio.org for information.