Hancock Public Health says the first Hancock County case of new COVID-19 variant, B.1.1.7. was identified in an adult female resident who tested positive for the virus on March 7th.

On March 26th, Hancock Public Health was notified of the results of the ongoing surveillance and whole  genome sequencing aimed at finding out the extent of the spread of variants of concern into communities.

All viruses, including the virus that causes COVID-19, change through mutation, and new variants of the virus are expected to occur over time.

This variant, referred to as B.1.1.7, was first discovered to be circulating widely in England during November and December of 2020. Based on epidemiologic and modeling studies, researchers believe that this new strain spreads more rapidly and easily than the original strain of SARS-CoV-2.

There is some evidence emerging that the new strain may cause an increased risk of death.

“It is concerning, but not unexpected, that we have identified a case of a variant that spreads more easily. Since only a small portion of tests collected are genetically sequenced, this means that there are likely many more cases of this variant spreading in our communities,” said Karim Baroudi, Hancock Public Health Commissioner.

“Viruses constantly change as they spread from person to person and replicate. Fortunately, we can prevent the virus from replicating and mutating by consistently using all the tools we have for stopping the spread,” he added.

He said based on available evidence, current vaccines for COVID-19 also work against this new variant.

Protective actions that prevent the spread of COVID-19 will also prevent the spread of the new variant, B.1.1.7. it is critically important, with emerging mutations of SARS-CoV-2, and those that may be more infectious, to follow best public health practices including:

-Get vaccinated for COVID-19.
-Wear a mask around others.
-Keep gatherings small and stay 6 feet apart from others.
-Wash hands often.
-Always opt for the outdoors or well-ventilated indoor spaces.

For further information on the new variant and on COVID-19 in general, click here for Hancock Public Health’s website, and click here for the Ohio Department of Health’s website.

All grade levels within Findlay City Schools will return to 5-day in-person learning on Monday, March 29th.

Trojan Academy students will remain in the remote learning model.

Spring Break for the district will be April 1st through the 5th.

The last day for students will be Wednesday, May 26th.

The Findlay Fire Department put out a fire at Hamlet Protein on Saturday afternoon.

The call came in at 2:21 from a passerby about smoke coming from the roof of the business at 5289 Hamlet Drive in Tall Timbers Industrial Park.

Battalion Chief Jeff Rampe says this was a unique fire and it was all hands on deck for a while until they found out where the fire was and how to get to it.

Four engines and a ladder truck responded to the scene.

It turned out that the fire was inside some hoppers and about 50 feet of conveyors.

They had to disassemble some of the equipment to get water into the hoppers to put out the fire.

Battalion Chief Rampe says they used about 1,000 gallons of water on the fire, when in comparison a typical structure fire uses under 500 gallons. He said a lot of that water was used to cool down the hoppers and conveyors.

He said firefighters were on the scene for about four hours.

No employees or firefighters were injured.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The number of active COVID cases in Hancock County is up from a week ago.

Hancock Public Health on Friday reported 114 active cases, which is an increase of 39 from a week earlier.

Active cases are cases that are currently under quarantine or in isolation.

Nine people were hospitalized with the virus on Friday, an increase of two from a week earlier.

A total of 436 people in Hancock County have been hospitalized since the beginning of the pandemic and 122 have died.

Eligible groups can schedule an appointment for the COVID vaccination by contacting Hancock Public Health at 419-424-7105.

Press 1 at the phone prompt to schedule an appointment to get vaccinated at one of the community clinics held weekly at Hancock Public Health and Blanchard Valley Hospital.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office helped the Bluffton Police Department arrest a man wanted in connection with a homicide in Detroit.

Authorities learned that Eugene Jerome Lemons, 37, of Dearborn Heights, Michigan was at a motel on State Route 103 in Bluffton.

The sheriff’s office says Lemons was taken into custody without incident on Thursday by the sheriff’s office and Bluffton Police Department.

Authorities obtained a search warrant for his room at the motel and say they found two high powered rifles and ammunition.

Lemons was booked at the Hancock County Justice Center.

The sheriff’s office says the investigation is ongoing.

Hancock Public Health is teaming up with Hancock Area Transportation Services (HATS) to make sure that every resident in the county has a way to get to a vaccination clinic site.

Details are in the following news release from Hancock Public Health.

Hancock Area Transportation Service (HATS) was allocated $45,000 from the Ohio Department Of Transportation through its Rides for Community Immunity program.

The program will allow residents in need of transportation to COVID vaccination clinics around the county, to schedule their rides and their vaccine appointments with one phone call to Hancock Public Health at 419-424-7105.

HATS will provide transportation to and from vaccine sites, for both first and second dose appointments.

Health Commissioner Karim Baroudi stressed that “Transportation should not be a deterrent for any resident to get their COVID-19 vaccine when offered to them.”

He added that “this is a great partnership with HATS for better health outcomes.”

Josh Anderson, President/CEO of HHWP Community Action Commission, the non-profit organization that administers HATS echoed these statements: “Lack of reliable transportation creates challenges for many residents in our community. We are privileged to be the recipient of funds through the Rides for Community Immunity Program. We look forward to utilizing these funds in partnership with Hancock County Public Health to maximize access to the COVID-19 vaccine.”

Hancock Public Health is urging all eligible residents to continue wearing a mask, social distancing, and get vaccinated as our way out of the pandemic.

Please check hancockpublichealth.com and hhwpca.org for more information on the program and locations of vaccine in and around Hancock County.