CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Ohio Department of Health confirmed on Friday the state’s first death, a Lucas County resident, related to COVID-19.
DeWine was joined by Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton and other state officials for a briefing from Columbus.
On Thursday, attorney and Lucas County Republican Party Chair, Mark Wagoner, Jr., announced the passing of his father, Mark Wagoner, Sr., in a post on Facebook. In that post, he said his father “was diagnosed with presumptive COVID-19, although the final test results have not arrived.”
After speaking with the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department, our sister station in Toledo confirmed Wagoner was the first recorded death due to COVID-19 in the area.
Wagoner recently traveled to California in the past month, according to the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department.
“Public Health extends our deepest condolences to the patient’s loved ones in the wake of this tragedy,” said Eric Zgodzinski, health commissioner. “We strongly recommend the Lucas County community to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves against novel coronavirus. The health department will continue working with local, state, and community partners in order to prevent future cases and to educate those in Lucas County to practice social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19.”
Wagoner Sr. was a well-known figure in Lucas County and an attorney who previously served on the Lucas County Board of Elections.
We have now entered a new phase of our battle with #COVID19. Yesterday, #Ohio had its first death from the #coronavirus. It was someone who @LtGovHusted and I knew very well. He was very well respected by everyone who knew him. All of us extend our deepest sympathy.
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 20, 2020
When we hear about these deaths, most of the time we won’t know the individual. It will be another number, but we must re