The government is once again offering free at-home COVID tests. And if you saved some from the last time they were issued, now would be a good time to double-check their expiration dates. Dr. Daniel Rhoads is a microbiologist for Cleveland Clinic. He says if a person uses an expired COVID test, they risk getting a “false negative” even if they are actually sick. However, the opposite is true for a “false positive.” If the expired test shows a positive result, it’s typically accurate.

Allen County Public Health is warning the community about an increase in COVID cases noted in the county. According to Health Commissioner Brandon Fischer, the number of new COVID cases in Allen County has doubled from July into August, along with three consecutive months with increasing cases. Fischer also reports that Allen County observed 31 COVID hospitalizations in August, which is also an increase from July. 

In the last four years, the Indian Lake region has seen three major incidents that could have broken them, but they kept working to get back on their feet. The president of the Indian Lake Chamber and Visitors Bureau at this morning's Wake, Rattle, and Roll is inviting everyone to visit the lake. They made it through COVID to face an algae and weed problem they overcame, only to be hit by a winter tornado in March. The region is still recovering from the twister but is looking forward to the summer influx of visitors. They are investing in a study to determine where to go from here.

The Centers for Disease Control has reduced Ohio's flu activity status from very high to high as case numbers continue to drop. The Ohio Health Department says flu-related hospitalizations and outpatient visits have dropped by around 24% this past week. But with the Easter holiday this weekend, health officials are reminding people that if you don't feel well, stay home. 

Lima City Council members and Mayor Sharetta Smith participated in a "Council of the Whole" meeting Monday evening. At the November 7th meeting, Lima City Council elected to table the legislation that proposed to give out a one-time bonus pay of $1,000 to city employees who worked during the COVID-19 Pandemic and who meet proposed criteria. At Monday's meeting, councilors and the mayor held a discussion on the exact logistics with the legislation and to answer some questions that Lima City Councilors had.

Lima City Council held a regular meeting earlier Monday evening. On Monday's agenda was the COVID-19 Pandemic hazard pay bonus which would have authorized the auditor to pay a one-time bonus of one-thousand dollars for eligible city employees who worked during the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020. On Monday night, city councilors voted to table the legislation for a committee of the whole meeting.

Dr. Steve Martin, dean of the College of Pharmacy at Ohio Northern, says that around 30 to 50 million people are expected to get the flu every year. He recommends to help with those numbers, people 6 months and older should get out and receive the flu shot, especially as this flu season looks like it may be a rough one for some people.