Allen County Public Health Department issued the following statement providing guidance for area residents: 

As of this morning (November 29), the November 2021 COVID-19 case count for Allen County is 2,080. This is now the 3rd highest monthly count we have had since November and December of 2020 (2,895 and 2,630, respectively). Additionally, over the past three weeks hospitalizations have climbed in the region from 79 to more than 170 individuals currently hospitalized with COVID-19. Local hospitals are reporting the highest numbers of hospitalizations they have seen during the pandemic.

Today’s case count is especially concerning following the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Exposure to COVID-19 can take 1-2 weeks to develop into a COVID-19 infection, and many individuals traveled and/or participated in events with family and friends over the past 4 days. Spread from this weekend may not show up for several days and could increase case numbers even more, especially in Allen County, which continues to have a very low vaccination rate at just 39.53% of residents having completed vaccinations.

Allen County Public Health strongly encourages the following:

• Start, or complete, your vaccination process if you have not done so already
• If you are vaccinated, get a booster shot when you are eligible
• Follow the ACPH Mask Advisory: wear masks when indoors (and outdoors in crowded spaces)
• Stay home if you are feeling sick
• Stay home if you have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19
• If you have symptoms of COVID-19 please get tested

Brandon Fischer, Health Commissioner
219 East Market Street
P.O. Box 1503
Lima, Ohio 45802-1503
http://www.allencountypublichealth.org