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Coronavirus in Ohio: 4th case confirmed, 1 possible case in Mercer County | What you need to know

A fourth person in Ohio has tested positive for coronavirus and another 24 are being tested, according to new data released by the Ohio Department of Health and local officials. Mercer County Health Department has released that they are investigating a case for the coronavirus, according to their office. The newest case is in Stark County, which is located in northeast Ohio.  The state said 21 people have tested negative for the virus, including one in Montgomery County.

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The Stark County case is the first case in Ohio diagnosed through community spread.  Community spread means the patient had not traveled to impacted areas and didn’t have contact with a patient previously diagnosed with the virus, Dr. Amy Acton, Director of the Ohio Department of Health, said.

"We know this disease is spreading in the US. We have some hard months ahead with social disruption, but we know when we take these actions they make a difference,” Acton said.

The governor also announced there to be no spectators at the NCAA First Four at UD Arena and other NCAA basketball tournament games in the state.

President Donald Trump will be addressing the nation Wednesday night for a special prime time address about the coronavirus.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine released a list of recommendations to help stop the spread of the virus:

  • State will be issuing an order on mass gatherings, details not released yet
  • Protect at-risk residents at nursing homes by screening visitors, 1 visitor per day per resident
  • Asked higher education institutions to screen students returning from international travel and cruise ships, and move toward online/remote learning
  • Indoor sporting events to eliminate spectators
  • Churches to limit practices that could spread germs
  • Prisons have ended visitation
  • Not recommending to close K-12 schools, but be prepared to do so

Here’s what you need to know today

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