FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Summit County Health Commissioner Urges Citizens to Help Fight Covid-19
[Akron, OH] – Summit County, much like the region and the state, is experiencing an
unprecedented surge in coronavirus cases. As of November 26th, Summit County has a high
incidence of 698.32 cases per 100,000 residents. Summit is also currently on the watch list to
reach the Risk Level 4/ Purple designation in the Ohio Public Health Advisory System. The
increase in cases has put a significant burden on the Health Department and SCPH is calling on
all residents to help in efforts to control the spread.
If you are having COVID-19 symptoms and are unable to be tested right away or are waiting for
your results please stay home and do not go in public or expose your family members who
are at higher risk for adverse complications of COVID-19. Isolate yourself even in your own
household until you are able to be tested and/or receive your results.
If you have received a positive test result from your doctor, do not wait from a call or
official isolation letter from Summit County Public Health to begin your isolation. Covid-19
isolation is 10 days from symptom onset. An individual can be released from isolation after 10
days as long as there has been symptom improvement and the individual has been fever-free for
24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medication. Summit County Public Health is also
asking residents to notify their potential contacts of their positive test result. For this purpose,
contacts are defined as anyone that the individual was in close contact with beginning 48 hours
prior to symptom onset.
5 Things to Do If You’re Sick or Have Been Exposed to Someone Who is Sick:
1. Keep your distance. Stay in your bedroom and use a bathroom separate from the one used
by other members of your household, if possible. Wear a face mask when around others
and try to stay at least 6 feet away. Have someone else in the home prepare meals and
leave them outside your bedroom. Don’t share bedding, towels, dishes, or water bottles
with others. If something is shared, wash it with soap and water before each use by a
separate person.
2. Do not leave your home (unless necessary for medical care). Ask family, friends, or
community groups to help with needs by leaving supplies outside your door.
3. Limit visitors to those who are necessary. Have them wash their hands when they enter
and leave; wear a face mask and stay at least 6 feet away. If they have symptoms of fever,
cough, or difficulty breathing, ask them not to come.
4. Wipe down high-touch areas every day with a disinfectant. This includes doorknobs;
light switches; phones; remote controls; appliance, sink, toilet, and cabinet handles;
countertops, etc.
5. Limit contact with pets. If you do interact with pets, wear a facemask, and wash your
hands before and after.
Ways to prevent COVID-19:
Stay home if you’re sick, even with mild symptoms
Be mindful in your interactions with others. Limit your chances of exposure by
maintaining social distancing of at least six feet from non-household members
Wear a mask in public
Consider necessary travel only
Follow good hygiene standards:
Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
Use hand sanitizer frequently
Avoid touching your face
Cover coughs and sneezes
Additional guidance and suggestions can be found on the Ohio Department of Health website at:
https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/families-and-individuals/resources-forparents-
and-families/holiday-celebrations
If you have questions, call the COVID-19 Call Line (330) 926-5795. The call line is open from
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. M-F.
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Summit County Press Release COVID19