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    Coronavirus Update: Detailed Columbus Data, Homeless Shelters & More

    Keep up with regular news updates regarding Columbus and Ohio’s response to COVID-19 here.

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    The Numbers

    As of Friday, April 10, Franklin County has 850 confirmed cases and 14 deaths, the latter unchanged from Thursday. Ohio as a whole has 5,878 cases and 231 deaths.

    In Columbus and Worthington, the cities in Columbus Public Health’s jurisdiction, 590 cases and eight deaths have been reported.

    Columbus Public Health has begun rolling out a weekly report that delves deeper into Columbus and Worthington’s cases. The report includes data on age, race, sex, hospitalizations and ZIP codes.

    A few details from the April 10 report:

    • As of today, Columbus’ illness onset date range is from February 27 to April 8, meaning February 27 was the first time a Columbus resident experienced symptoms.
    • 25% of Columbus cases are healthcare workers.
    • Unlike state numbers, Columbus’ COVID-19 cases do not increase with age — the group with the highest number of cases is the 20-29 year-old age range.
    COVID-19 cases by zip code, featuring number of cases and rate of illness. Photo taken from the Columbus Public Health Report.

    You can find that report here.

    Possible Plasma Treatment

    Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted announced on Thursday, April 9 that the Christ Hospital Lindner Research Center in Cincinnati has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to begin treating high-risk COVID-19 patients with plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients.

    This is a treatment protocol that incorporates a rapid turnaround blood test that can detect the risk of dying for a patient. The turnaround takes less than an hour.

    Plasma is said to be rich in antibodies that may be able to attack the virus that causes COVID-19. The FDA anticipates that thousands of units of plasma will be provided to patients in the coming weeks, but to be clear, the treatment is only in the investigative phase.

    “Hospitals in Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland have all expressed interest in participating in the treatment protocol,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “This is another great step in our efforts to save lives.”

    Find more information, including information on how people who have recovered from COVID-19 can donate plasma, here.

    Homeless Shelters

    In the coming weeks, the Community Shelter Board will open three new shelters for isolation and quarantine and one additional shelter designed to increase social distancing for those who are newly homeless. This is in addition to a 90-unit motel quarantine shelter and two social distancing shelters at 40 West and Sullivant Gardens Recreation Center which opened in the last few weeks. Find out how to assist in this cause by visiting the Community Shelter Board website.

    More Updates

    If you haven’t already, check out the “Laverne & Shirley” inspired DeWine and Amy Theme song, created by Stofka Creative Ltd. It’s creative to say the least!

    For more information on COVID-19 in Ohio, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.

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    Taijuan Moorman
    Taijuan Moormanhttps://columbusunderground.com
    Taijuan Moorman is a former reporter and social media specialist for Columbus Underground and The Metropreneur who covered civics, arts, entertainment, lifestyle, and business news and features.
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