A Hancock County resident has died from complications from the coronavirus.

Hancock Public Health Commissioner Karim Baroudi issued the following statement.

“It is with sadness today that we are confirming the first death of a Hancock County resident due to severe complications from COVID-19 and I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the family. The patient was a 81-year-old male with underlying health conditions. I want to thank all of the doctors, nurses, and medical professionals who did everything within their power to save the patient’s life. I would also like to acknowledge the tireless ongoing work of our local government leaders, the team at Hancock Public Health, and every local business and individual community member who continues to do their part to stop the spread of this virus; you are all making a difference. We expect for this fight to continue for some time, but with each of us doing our part, the battle will be won. We want to stress again the importance of all of us adhering to the Governor’s orders as well as continuing to practice the precautions that have been shared regularly by the Governor’s office. This continues to be our most powerful tool to avoid overwhelming our healthcare system so that we can continue to provide the best care to those who need it most.”

As of Thursday, Hancock Public Health was reporting 16 cases of the coronavirus and one death.

Statewide there were 5,512 confirmed cases as of Thursday and 213 deaths.

People experiencing coronavirus symptoms should call the COVID-19 Triage & Testing Center at Blanchard Valley Hospital at 419-423-7890, or the center at Bluffton Hospital at 419-369-2399.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include cough, shortness of breath, fever of 100.4 degrees or greater and fatigue.

The University of Findlay’s College of Pharmacy is helping out during the pandemic by making hand sanitizer in its own labs.

The hand sanitizer will go to various local organizations like health care systems, hospitals and pharmacies.

“We learned there was a need in the community and wanted to provide support any way we could,” said Tonya Dauterman, Pharm.D., Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Associate Dean of External Affairs and Advocacy, and Chair of Experiential Education.

The university says it will continue to assess the ongoing coronavirus situation and strive to find ways it can help in this difficult and uncertain time.

Click here for the university’s full write-up on making hand sanitizer.

UF has also donated PPE in the battle against coronavirus.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association is working on options for its spring sports schedule.

OHSAA officials announced they have two contingency plans for possible timelines from current stay-at-home orders being given by the state.

OHSAA says if schools are ordered to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year, it will have to cancel all spring sports as a result, but if the order is lifted on May 1st, they will release a schedule for events.

If games are allowed, OHSAA will have baseball, lacrosse, softball, tennis, and track beginning on May 9th with state tournaments to be held from mid to late June.

Governor DeWine on Wednesday said the sacrifices Ohioans have been making are flattening the curve but the battle is ongoing and we need to continue staying home.

Ohio Health Director Dr. Amy Acton said that even though our efforts have bought us time, the number of coronavirus cases and deaths are going to increase, but not nearly as much as they would have had we done nothing.

“Though the models show we’re making headway, we are going to have several bad weeks to come. We’re going in the right direction but we are not out of the woods.”

Statewide there were 5,148 confirmed cases as of Wednesday and 193 deaths.

Officials say the actual number of cases is likely much higher.

And when the coronavirus finally goes away, the governor said life won’t go back exactly to how it was before.

“There will be many thoughtful decisions on what we must do to stop a second surge. It will be a gradual pull-back of restrictions as we try to get back to normal.”

Hancock County on Wednesday reported it was up to 17 cases.

The West Ohio Food Bank is seeing a 50 percent increase in people seeking food assistance since the pandemic has put so many out of work.

We spoke with CEO Linda Hamilton at a big food distribution event in Fostoria on Wednesday that saw the Ohio National Guard helping out and had vehicles stretched around the parking lot of the middle school.

“We brought 77,000 pounds of food with us today, and looking at the vehicles we’ll probably have 600 to 700 households which could equate to probably a couple thousand individuals that will go home knowing they’ll have food on the table.”

She says the Fostoria distribution was a big one but it wasn’t as big as a recent event in Hardin County in which they distributed 90,000 pounds of food.

“There are individuals in the line that never thought they would ever need food assistance, they had a good job and were able to keep up with expenses until they suddenly had no income coming in.”

She expects this heightened need to be around for months if not even a year after the pandemic ends.

The next mobile food pantry will be Thursday at Cornerstone Church on County Road 140 just west of Findlay. People will need to call 419-422-6401 to reserve a time slot.

Hancock County health officials on Wednesday reported two new cases of the coronavirus.

That brings the total number of confirmed cases in the county up to 17.

Six of the patients have been hospitalized.

Statewide there were 5,148 confirmed cases as of Wednesday and 193 deaths.

Health officials say the actual number of cases is likely much higher.

Governor DeWine on Wednesday said the sacrifices we’ve been making are flattening the curve, however, the number of cases and deaths will increase in the coming weeks.

People experiencing coronavirus symptoms should call the COVID-19 Triage & Testing Center at Blanchard Valley Hospital at 419-423-7890, or the center at Bluffton Hospital at 419-369-2399.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include cough, shortness of breath, fever of 100.4 degrees or greater and fatigue.

The Fostoria Police Division says the “most despicable people” are trying to use the coronavirus pandemic to take advantage of people.

Police say residents have received calls from people claiming they represent companies like American Electric Power and others who say they can help you with your bill during this trying time.

The police department says if you didn’t request assistance, then it’s a scam and to hang up and report them.

Police point out that the called ID may actually show a reputable name.

Police remind people to never give out personal information unless you are positive about who you are speaking with.

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control is allowing restaurants to sell and deliver alcohol during the current stay-at-home order.

The liquor control commission says the ruling means establishments with an existing liquor license may sell alcoholic beverages under certain conditions.

Under the new rule, customers can purchase two prepackaged drinks that do not contain more than two-ounces of spirituous liquor per meal.

Officials say in addition, local breweries can now sell beer and wine that are not their own product without any food purchases.

Findlay and Hancock County are included in a Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued by the National Weather Service.

The watch goes from 9 o’clock Tuesday night until 3 o’clock Wednesday morning.

Forecasters say a line of severe thunderstorms will bring the threat of large hail and damaging winds.

Localized flooding is also a threat as is an isolated tornado.

The main time period for the threat is from 10pm to 3am.

Governor Mike DeWine is asking that 167 Ohio inmates be released from prison to stop the spread of coronavirus behind bars.

Speaking from Columbus, DeWine said the non-violent offenders on his list include 141 minimum-security inmates who are within three months of completing their sentences.

He says another 26 inmates over the age of 60 suffer from health conditions that leave them especially vulnerable to COVID-19.

None of the proposed inmates have any serious prison violations on their records, and none have been denied release in the past.