On March 6, the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities met with several other institutional agencies to discuss preparedness plans and prevention methods regarding coronavirus (COVID-19).
While there are still no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio, we will continue to coordinate with other agencies and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to closely monitor the state of Ohio.
We are encouraging all people and professionals who serve our community to work with and stay connected to your local health department for updates and information.
In addition to your local health department, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has opened a call center to answer questions. The call center will be open seven days a week from 9 AM to 8 PM and can be reached at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).
Call center staff include licensed nurses and infectious disease experts. They will be available to answer questions and provide accurate information about COVID-19, the risk to the public, and the state’s response.
While the general risk to the public in Ohio is still considered low, it is important to continue to follow standard precautions to prevent the spread of infectious disease. To prevent the spread of any virus including novel coronavirus, practice these preventative measures:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Additional information and guidance on COVID-19 is available at ODH’s new website,
coronavirus.ohio.gov
.
