Listen HereHancock County Health Commissioner Karim Baroudi announced at news conference this afternoon, March 22, the first case of COVID-19 in 
Hancock County.
“We got notification from Ohio Department of Health early this morning that a 21-year-old female, a Hancock County resident, has been confirmed with COVID-19,” said Baroudi.
The case sets in to motion days of planning between the City of Findlay, Hancock County Commissioners, Hancock County Public Health, and Blanchard Valley Health Systems.
It also puts a spotlight on emerging information over the last few days, according to Hancock Public Health Medical Director, and Infectious Disease Specialist at Blanchard Valley Health System Dr. Nathaniel Ratnasamy.
“Initially our main concern was for elderly people. They were showing the highest mortality rates,” said Ratnasamy. “Now, as we get more information, we realize younger people are also at risk of hospitalization.”
Dr. William Kose, Chief Medical Officer at Blanchard Valley Health System, said the patient did not come through its system.
“This patient was not tested at BVHS,” said Kose. “She was tested outside of the community.”
University of Findlay Communication and Design Specialist, Natasha Lancaster tells the Pulse via email that they have been following the situation very carefully.
“(We) have been able to confirm that the subject of the confirmed case of COVID-19 in Hancock County was not a University of Findlay student,” Lancaster said.
