By Mac Cordell and Kayleen Petrovia
Following a fifth, lab-confirmed case of COVID-19 in the county, the Union County Health Department is working to update residents with a new website.
The health department indicated the affected individual is an adult female. As of noon Thursday, Union County reports four adult females and one adult male have tested positive for the virus.
UCHD Public Information Officer Jennifer Thrush noted the Ohio Department of Health dashboard, at coronavirus.ohio.gov, had not yet listed the fifth case as of press time Friday.
The age range of cases in the county is 31-83 years old with an average age of 49 years old.
A contact investigation is underway to identify and notify close contacts of the individual.
Close contacts typically include: individuals living in the same house; intimate partners; individuals providing home care for the ill person without using recommended infection control precautions; and individuals who have had close contact (within six feet of the ill person) for a prolonged period of time.
These contact will be assessed for symptoms and instructed to self-quarantine for 14 days while monitoring for symptoms.
Individuals who are not notified by public health are not considered a close contact with increased risk.
UCHD will not release a listing of locations visited by the individual unless the contact investigation warrants such an announcement in order to protect the health of the public.
To keep residents informed, the health department has rolled out a new website for local information regarding COVID-19.
Residents may visit https://unioncountycovid.org/ to find prevention information, links to local COVID-19 information and highlight acts of kindness happening within Union County.
Honda
Honda also extended its production shutdown for another week.
The company Thursday announced it has extended the production suspension previously announced for all of its automobile, engine and transmission plants in the U.S. and Canada through April 10.
“In undertaking these production adjustments, Honda is continuing to manage its business carefully through a measured approach to sales that aligns production with market demand,” according to a release from the company.
This continued production suspension impacts about 27,600 Honda associates in North America, including 4,100 associates at Marysville Auto Plant and 100 associates at Performance Manufacturing Center.
Honda began its automotive production suspension on March 23.
Honda provided full pay for associates through March 30. For this week, the company offered full pay for two days, allowed employees to use future vacation for two and allowed them to use accrued vacation for the fifth.
The company will take a similar approach for next week.
Chris Abbruzzese, with Honda, said associates will receive full pay for April 7 and 8. Associates will have the opportunity to use vacation on April 9 when there is no work available. He said April 10 is a paid holiday for Honda plants in Ohio.
The now three-week shutdown is expected to reduce production by nearly 100,000 vehicles.
This is the second extension of the production suspension and officials acknowledge it may not be the last.
“As the market impact of the fast-changing COVID-19 situation evolves, Honda will continue to evaluate conditions and make adjustments to its production operations in North America as necessary,” according to the release.
Funds being received
The Union County Foundation announced Thursday that the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund received a series of private donations to serve as “initial seed money to grow this new fund.”
“Through a partnership between the Union County Foundation and United Way of Union County, the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund will help address the critical needs of area residents impacted by the pandemic,” according to a release from the Union County Foundation.
“Funds will support organizations that provide direct health and human services to our community as well as other needs,” the release stated.
Union County residents seeking food, shelter or financial help can call 2-1-1 or (937) 303-4209 to speak with the Emergency Assistance Program at The Hope Center. They can also go online to www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org/covidinfo.php, click on “I Need Help” and answer a few short questions.
The Fund will be used in cooperation with the Mass Critical Care Unit of the Union County Emergency Operation Center. This unit was formed specifically to track needs in the community as they arise and connect them with resources and volunteers.
To support the joint fund, individual and corporate donors have several options, which include:
– Texting UCCOVID to 91-99;
– Sending a check to United Way of Union County, 648 Clymer Rd., Suite 313, Marysville OH 43040 or to The Union County Foundation, COVID-19 Fund, PO Box 608, Marysville, Ohio 43040. Donors should indicate COVID-19 on the check;
– Donating online at https://www.unioncountyfoundation.org/donatecovid.php or https://bit.ly/UCCOVID.
Officials said all normal administrative fees will be waived with the exception of fees administered by third party processors for the convenience of utilizing online or text- to-give platforms.