MIAMI COUNTY — The sixth person to die from COVID-19 in the county has been identified.
Gloria Anderson, 85, from Koester Pavilion, passed away on March 28.
A seventh person, James Cuzzort, 92, from SpringMeade, passed away on March 26. However, Mr. Cuzzort is considered a resident of Montgomery County and will not be counted as a Miami County death in the total.
As of Wednesday, 64 positive coronavirus cases have been reported in Miami County, according to Miami County Public Health (MCPH). Seven of those cases are in Piqua, according to the Piqua Health Department.
The age range of those affected is from 16 to 93, MCPH said.
There are 44 people now known to be associated with the nursing home cluster, and 20 positive cases that are considered community spread, according to MCPH.
On Wednesday, there were 22 people hospitalized in the county, according to MCPH. Five of those are in critical condition at UVMC, Premier Health officials said.
MCPH reminds residents that COVID-19 symptoms include a fever of 100.4 or higher, dry cough, tiredness and body aches. Those with these symptoms should reach out to their physician. For more information, www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.
Premier Health officials said staff are prepared for the coming days, when the virus is expected to peak.
“Our UVMC team is highly skilled and team members have prepared extensively for the anticipated surge of COVID-19 patients, in accordance with public health guidelines. Their dedication and courage throughout this public health crisis have been truly commendable,” Premier Health officials said.
Premier Health officials said they understand the risks that front-line workers are facing.
“We understand that, even in cases in which our staff are highly trained, caring for COVID-19 patients is not without risk, and we continue to ensure that they have the personal protective equipment that they need in such circumstances,” Premier Health officials said. “We also understand that this pandemic is stressful at times for our colleagues, especially those on the clinical front lines, and we have made employee assistance programs available to ensure that they have the support that they need and deserve.”
The community has reached out as a helping hand to UVMC staff, according to Premier Health officials.
“Generous individuals, groups and businesses in the community are reaching out to show support and appreciation to our staffs, and we are most grateful for their donations,” Premier Health officials said.
Kettering Health Network Manager of Media and Public Relations Elizabeth Long said KHN would not be releasing patient information, only that, “The hospitals have agreed that any information about COVID-19 patients will come from the local health department.”
In Ohio, as of Wednesday, there were 2,547 positive coronavirus cases and 65 deaths, representing 72 counties. There are 679 hospitalization, and 222 of them are in intensive care. The age range is between under that age of 1 to 99 years old, with the median age at 53. Males make up 49 percent of the cases and females 51 percent.
