Cincinnati's Health Commissioner says contrary to rumors on social media, as of Monday morning, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the city.
Melba Moore told City Council's Law and Public Safety Committee testing is continuing.
"In my health centers, six people have been tested and we're waiting on those results to come back," Moore said. "The individuals who have been tested are considered people under investigation. And they have been exposed or they are exhibiting some signs or symptoms that have warranted them to be tested."
Moore said the health department is contacting others who had contact with those six people, and they are checking on the six twice a day to monitor their symptoms.
Her numbers do not include people who may have been tested at local hospitals, but the department is also checking on those cases.
Moore stressed the need for people to listen to the advice of government and health officials.
"This isn't summer break, this isn't a vacation," Moore said. "This is for us to be home with our children. If you must be at home, be at home with your children. If you must go out, practice social distancing, six feet apart."
Meanwhile, health department sanitarians will be visiting many of the 2,500 food establishments that have been impacted by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's order that only carryout or delivery food be available. His order shutdown the dine-in option at 9 p.m. Sunday.
"We're gonna give them guidance on what they need to be thinking about. The same things that we're talking about, we need to be thinking about," Moore said. "The social distancing, the prep areas, making sure they're using gloves, they have the hair nets on and that kind of thing. We want to make sure we practice those same preventive measures that we've been doing."
Moore is urging everyone to remain calm, and continue with frequent handwashing and to stay home if you're sick.
