Health district monitors workplace coronavirus outbreak in Clark County

Clark County Combined Health District officials announced Monday they are monitoring a workplace outbreak of the coronavirus — a first within the county.

According to coronavirus data released daily by the health district, 16 Clark County residents who have tested positive for the coronavirus have been linked to the outbreak as of Monday.

The outbreak is at a workplace within Clark County, spokesperson Emma Smales said.

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This is the second workplace outbreak the district is now monitoring, according to CCCHD data, however, it is the first in the county.

The district announced on April 29 it was monitoring, “an outbreak in a workplace located outside of Clark County.” At the time, 21 Clark County cases had been linked to that outbreak. As of Monday, 23 Clark County residents now have been linked to the outbreak, according to the CCCHD.

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Health district officials have said previously they cannot release information about who the employers are.

Health Commissioner Charlie Patterson said in a Facebook live on Friday afternoon that the district, “typically doesn’t talk about private businesses.”

“That’s just not how it’s reported and that’s just out of respect for those businesses, respect for the employees and out of respect for confidential medical records,” Patterson said.

In addition to announcing the workplace outbreak, the CCCHD also announced on Monday that zip code data on cases would be released this week. The CCCHD has stated which cities and townships have seen cases of the coronavirus, but not how many cases.

As of Monday, cases have been found in the City of Springfield, Bethel Township, German Township, Mad River Township, Moorefield Township, Springfield Township, Green Township, Pleasant Township and New Carlisle.

Clark County has 151 cases, and three COVID-19 deaths, as of Monday afternoon, according to the health district.

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