A Hardin County covid defense team formed in November, according to Hardin County Health Commissioner Cindy Keller.

Representing Ada on the team are: 
• David Retterer, Ada mayor 
• Dr. Daniel DiBiasio, ONU president; and
• Dr. Michelle Musser, associate professor of pharmacy practice at ONU.

In October Gov. DeWine called on community leaders in each county to form a covid defense team.

Each team is responsible for assessing covid-19 spread in their communities, taking inventory of the assets in the community, and focusing on what steps are necessary to slow the spread of the coronavirus among their citizens.

He asked the team to work together to assess where they are, what they need to do, and set goals in their fight against the virus.

“We have representation from Hardin Memorial Hospital, Hardin County commissioners, Kenton Hardin Health Department, Ohio Northern University, mayors, church leaders, Hardin Emergency Management Agency and the Hardin County Chamber & Business Alliance,” said Keller.

“Our defense teams’ number one goal is to improve our community’s current situation with the virus.”

Keller said that the team discusses areas of concern and what resources are available to help target those areas. Topics have included goals for targeted areas, how to help church congregations and vulnerable populations, goals for schools, as well as continuing to provide messaging in all areas of the community.

The team has worked together to target the need for volunteers for many aspects of our response including vaccine distribution.

“Seeing the many different areas of our community come together and work to mitigate the spread of this virus, just shows how our small community can work together against a common issue,” said Keller.