OSU Child Care Program employee tests positive for COVID-19

COLUMBUS (WCMH) — An employee at the Ohio State University Child Care Program has tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus, forcing the center to close until at least the end of the month.

In a letter sent to parents Monday, the program said the employee last worked on March 17, primarily in one child-care room at the Ackerman Road location. The employee has been in self-isolation since March 18 when they were tested for the virus.

The center will be closed starting Tuesday, March 24, for a deep cleaning and to allow health officials to contact appropriate parents and staff. The center is set to reopen March 30.

Wexner Medical Center experts are working with Columbus Public Health (CPH) officials to investigate any close contacts with this individual. Over the next 24 hours, CPH will reach out directly to parents of children and child care program employees who may have had close contact with the patient.

Public health officials will provide contacted parents with health and quarantine guidance, including 14-day self-quarantine procedures. If you are not contacted, you do not need to take any special precautions beyond monitoring your children and yourself for symptoms of COVID-19 as well as practicing social distancing and good hygiene.

UPDATE 3/24: Ohio’s stay-at-home order is now in effect. As of Tuesday, there are 564 COVID-19 coronavirus cases and eight deaths reported in Ohio. Governor Mike DeWine and ODH Director Dr. Amy Acton will hold a daily briefing a 2 p.m. Tuesday to discuss the latest efforts to control the spread of coronavirus in Ohio.

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