KENT, Ohio — *Editor's Note: The video in the player above is from a previous report.
As the state of Ohio continues to battle a surge in positive COVID-19 cases, one local health department is issuing a warning to residents.
The Kent Health Department has released a public health notice providing key information and a list of actions for people to take amid the surge in COVID-19 cases.
According to the department, the 44240 zip code is currently seeing 1,642/ 100,000 cases per capita weekly.
"This is more than 15 times the CDC's threshold for a "high" level of transmission, and is even higher than this time last year," the social media post read.
Here's the list of things the department wants you to know.
1. Local hospitals are at capacity. Do not go to the emergency department for COVID-19 testing, unless you are seriously ill.
2. COVID-19 Testing is available at NEOMED from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every week Tuesday through Thursday in December.
3. Both the Portage County and Kent City Health Departments are out of Binax COVID-19 Test kids. The public will be notified when the supply has been restocked.
4. Everyone regardless of vaccination status should mask when out of their home, especially in crowded areas.
5. Consider delaying, curtailing, or even cancelling holiday plans--be sure to take particular care around vulnerable people.
6. Get vaccinated. If you're fully vaccinated, consider getting your booster.
7. If you test positive, stay home and isolate for a full 10 days. Wear a mask and notify those whom you were in close contact with, starting 48 hours prior to when your symptoms began.
8. if you have been exposed to a positive case and develop symptoms, presume that you have COVID-19. Stay home and isolate for a full 10 days. Seek testing.
*If fully vaccinated, test between days 3- 5 after your last exposure, if unvaccinated test between 5-7 days.
9. If you have been exposed, and do not have symptoms, quarantine for a full 14 days and monitor for symptoms.
You can read the full post from the Kent Health Department that was shared by the Kent Police Department on Facebook below.
*Editor's Note: The video in the player above is from a previous report.