CELINA- According to the Mercer County Health District the transmission rate in Mercer County continues to be high. A high transmission rate is defined as 100 or more new cases per 100,000 people in a 7-day period or a test positivity rate of 10% or higher. Mercer county has reported 140 cases per 100,000 people in the past seven days and has a test positivity rate of 9.5%. This data can be found here: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view.
While the COVID-19 transmission rate is at substantial or high levels, people are encouraged to wear a mask when in indoor public locations to protect themselves and others. Masks are most important when around people with weakened immune systems or increased risk of severe disease, and when distance cannot be maintained between people. While N95 masks offer protection to the wearer, surgical and cloth masks are most effective in controlling the release of droplets from those who may carry the virus by stopping the droplets before they separate into smaller particles capable of traveling through the air.
The MCHD will continue to release new information as it becomes available so Mercer County residents can make well-informed decisions about things like whether to attend a public event or keep a child home from school and other activities who was exposed to COVID-19.
Beginning Friday, August 27, 2021, the MCHD will be offering the third dose of mRNA to immunocompromised individuals at least 28 days after they received the second shot in the two-dose series of Moderna or Pfizer vaccine. MCHD encourages interested individuals to consult with their physician to determine whether they are eligible for this third dose. When obtaining a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine at MCHD, the client will be required to complete a form documenting that they are eligible for the shot. No one will be required to disclose the specific health condition that makes them vulnerable.
The MCHD is making tentative plans to conduct multiple drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination clinics this fall if the FDA and ACIP approve the recently announced federal booster plan. The MCHD will continue to update Mercer County residents through a media release and social media updates.
The MCHD offers the COVID-19 vaccine every Friday at the MCHD office. Please call 419-586-3251 extension 1462 to ask questions or schedule an appointment.
As of August 25, 2021, the Mercer County Health District (MCHD) reports 4,336 confirmed cases, 823 probable cases, 4,114 recovered cases, four hospitalizations, 88 COVID-19 deaths, and 19 probable deaths of COVID-19. In addition, there have been 48 confirmed cases who have passed away due to causes other than COVID-19. Today, there are 87 known active cases of COVID-19 in Mercer County. There have been 17 confirmed and 8 probable cases of COVID-19 among fully vaccinated individuals. Of those individuals, three were hospitalized and have since recovered. All of the currently hospitalized individuals reported above are unvaccinated.
Month | Number of Confirmed Cases |
March (First case on 3/24) | 5 cases |
April | 19 cases |
May | 190 cases |
June | 56 cases |
July | 239 cases |
August | 295 cases |
September | 284 cases |
October | 545 cases |
November | 1,116 cases |
December | 635 cases |
January 2021 | 388 cases |
February 2021 | 120 cases |
March 2021 | 52 Cases |
April 2021 | 113 Cases |
May 2021 | 64 Cases |
June 2021 | 14 Cases |
July 2021 | 34 Cases |
August – Present | 167 Cases |