Ohio health officials trace coronavirus outbreak to Put-in-Bay

PUT-IN-BAY, Ohio — Officials with the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department and Ottawa County Health Department say several people who recently visited bars and restaurants at Put-in-Bay have tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus, according to reports.

WTVG Channel 13 reports at least seven people have tested positive. Six people are from Lucas County and one from Ottawa County, the Sandusky Register reports. All of the people visited Put-in-Bay between June 17 and 21.

The Port Clinton News Herald reports that the people who tested positive visited the Commodore Hotel, Mr. Ed’s and The Mist. Anyone who was at those locations from June 17 to 21 is being asked to self-quarantine for 14 days.

“The virus can spread when people are in close proximity to each other and not wearing face coverings,” Nancy Osborn, Ottawa County Health Commissioner, said in a news release to the News Herald. “The public must understand the importance of personal responsibility and take the vital steps to protect themselves and others from the unnecessary transmission of COVID-19.”

Osborn tells the Register that her department has receiving reports that businesses are not using “due diligence” to maintain social distancing among customers.

“They have assured us they will change their practices,” Osborn said. “We are monitoring what their practices are.”

Put-in-Bay Mayor Jessica Dress released a statement saying the majority of businesses have complied with state requirements, including employees wearing masks, limiting capacity and implementing the “highest level of cleaning standards.”

“We ask that visitors help us do the same,” Dress said. “As one of the only regular Ohio summer destinations open for business, we have seen record numbers of people on the island and want to continue serving all of them in the safest way possible.”