CELINA- As of September 1, 2021, the Mercer County Health District (MCHD) reports 4,411 confirmed cases, 843 probable cases, 4,165 recovered cases, 6 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 109 known active cases of COVID-19 in Mercer County.

There have been 24 confirmed and 8 probable cases of COVID-19 among fully vaccinated individuals. Of those individuals, two are currently hospitalized and three were hospitalized and have since recovered.

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 seen 206 cases per 100,000 people in the past seven days and has a test positivity rate of 11.68%.  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 continues to see an increase in COVID-19 cases, especially among minors. In August there was a total of 30 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the 0-17 year age range, the highest monthly total among that age group since December of 2020.

The MCHD urges Mercer County residents to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our county. Maintaining good hygiene practices, staying home when sick, and avoiding crowded indoor places can all help reduce the spread of the virus.

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 who was exposed to COVID-19 home from school and other activities.

Due to the increase in COVID-19 cases, there has been a delay in interviews, many of which are conducted by a third-party firm outside of MCHD. If you have tested positive for COVID-19, please do not ignore phone calls from the 216 area code. This is likely someone calling to complete a brief interview and to offer isolation/quarantine letters for yourself and your close contacts.

Last week, the MCHD began offering the third dose of mRNA vaccine to immunocompromised individuals at least 28 days after receiving 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 eligible.

The MCHD is making tentative plans to conduct multiple drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination clinics this fall if the FDA and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) approve the recently announced federal vaccine booster plan. Additional information will be shared when it is available.

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.

MonthNumber of Confirmed Cases
March (First case on 3/24)5 cases
April19 cases
May190 cases
June56 cases
July239 cases
August295 cases
September 284 cases
October545 cases
November1,116 cases
December635 cases 
January 2021388 cases
February 2021120 cases
March 202152 Cases
April 2021113 Cases
May 202164 Cases
June 202114 Cases
July 202134 Cases
August 2021242 Cases
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