There have been 346 cases of COVID-19 in Butler County, including 342 confirmed and four probable, according to the district.
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All of those who have died were at least 60 years old, while that age group makes up only 15 percent of Butler County’s estimated 383,000 population, according to the most recent census.
Of the eight who have died in Butler County, two was in their 60s, four in their 70s and two in their 80s, according to the health department.
Jackie Phillips, Middletown’s health commissioner, said the age of those who have died is “right in line” with what was expected. She said the older population is “most vulnerable” because of their underlying health risks such as heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes.
Younger people are more likely to survive the coronavirus because they’re typically healthier, Phillips said.
The age for those with coronavirus in the county ranges from 1 to 94 years old with the median age of 53. Thirty-four percent in those diagnosed with COVID-19 were 50 to 64 years old.
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The Butler County statistics mirror those in the state.
The age range for confirmed cases to date is from under 1 to 106 with a median age of 51. The median age for deaths is 80, according to the Ohio Department of Health.
Just over half of all deaths that were reported as of Monday (529 of 1,056, or 50.1 percent) have been to people age 80 and over.
About half of Ohioans are under 40, yet only six people in this age group are known to have died with coronavirus, five men in their 30s and a man in his 20s, according to the ODH.
On Tuesday, it was announced that there were 20,969 cases in the state, 3,956 hospitalizations and 1,135 deaths.
Deaths have been reported in 61 of Ohio’s 88 counties.
On Tuesday, the City of Middletown Health Department announced that a 69-year-old black man was the city’s first death of a Middletown resident who tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Phillips said there was “no rhyme or reason” why some one from Middletown hadn’t died from coronavirus before this week.
“Our hearts go out to the loved ones in their time of grief, and we send our deepest sympathies.” Phillips said.
To prevent the spread of any virus including COVID-19, practice these preventative measures:
• If you must go out to obtain essential services, wear a facial cover (mask, bandanna, cloth covering).
• If you are over 65 years old or have underlying health conditions, stay at home.
• Practice social distancing/physical distancing by keeping 6 feet way from others at all times.
• Do not gather in groups of more than 10 people.
• Do not gather with people with whom you do not already share a household.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your elbow.
Ohioans can call the Ohio Department of Health COVID-19 hotline with any questions or visit www.cityofmiddletown.org or coronavirus.ohio.gov. The call center is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).
Eight Butler County residents have died from the coronavirus, according to the Butler County General Health District.
Here is a listing of those deaths and when they were reported by the health district:
Date, Gender, Age, Area Code
March 31, Male, 86, 45014
April 3, Male, 70s, 45056
April 13, Male, 60s, 45056
April 22, Female, 80s, 45014
April 27, Female, 70s, 45014
April 29, Male, 70s, 45014
May 4, Male, 70s, 45014
May 5, Male, 69, 45044
SOURCE: Butler County General Health District
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