Butler County health district investigates coronavirus cases linked to gatherings in Oxford

“We want everyone potentially exposed to be aware so they can self-monitor and get tested quickly to reduce potential further spread. Should you receive a call from the Health District, we encourage your complete cooperation,” said Butler County Health Commissioner Jennifer Bailer.

Anyone at off-campus social gatherings between May 8 and 16 is being asked to self-monitor for fever or COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days from their last day in Oxford.

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If a fever or COVID-19 symptoms develop, people are asked to contact their healthcare provider or an emergency room, and tell them you were possibly exposed to COVID-19.

COVID-19 symptoms include, a fever over 100.4, cough, difficulty breathing, chills, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, and/or a new loss of taste or smell.

"As we know, the COVID-19 virus can spread quickly between people and infect groups of people in a hurry,” said Bailer.

Symptoms are often mild in younger adults, but she said the virus has the potential to become critical for those with underlying disease or other risk factors."

Butler County health district epidemiologist Jordan Luttrell-Freeman said it's important to identify people who have been in contact with those infected with COVID-19 "as quickly as possible" and request they quarantine for 14 days as they monitor for symptoms.

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"This helps in preventing the disease to spread any further," Luttrell-Freeman said.

As of Friday, there are 760 total cases of COVID-19 in Butler County, with 21 people having died, according to the Butler County Health Department.

There have been more than 31,400 cases statewide with nearly 2,000 COVID-19-related deaths, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

For more information, Ohioans can call the Ohio Department of Health COVID-19 hotline from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 833-4-ASKODH (833-427-5634) with any questions or visit health.bcohio.us or coronavirus.ohio.gov.