Alliance Health Commissioner Confirms: A Series of Interviews On COVID-19: Randy Flint

            The Alliance Health Department Commissioner stated that the decision on whether or not the university remains open or closed is a collaborative effort between the health department and Mount Union administration. 

Earlier this month, University President Thomas Botzman indicated that the power to determine the status of whether or not the university remained open lies solely with the health department and public state officials. 

“There is no set number of students for the university to revert back to online learning,” said Randall Flint, Alliance Health Department health commissioner. “This would be determined by the university and health department in collaboration regarding this decision. This decision may also be contingent on the Public Health Advisory System for each county in Ohio.” 

It is unclear how quickly contact tracing begins after an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 takes.  

“A laboratory or health care provider is required to report a positive case of COVID-19 immediately-24/7 to the local health department where the individual resides. Our public health nurses will contact the positive case and obtain information from them about their close contacts.  They will try to reach out immediately after they obtain contact information.”

Flint further elaborated on the subject of where COVID-19 has been known to be contracted and if individuals in close proximity of these locations should be concerned. 

“Individuals living near the area of a COVID-19 case do not need to be concerned.  Remember, the disease is mainly spread by close personal contact within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more.”

Since this interview, the CDC has cited, “limited, uncommon circumstances where people with COVID-19 infected others who were more than 6 feet away or shortly after the COVID-19-positive person left an area.”

Flint said the number of students in quarantine is “a fluid number and is constantly changing.”