WARREN — Mercy Health St. Joseph Warren Hospital has cared for a patient who tested positive for novel coronavirus, COVID-19.

Hospital officials are not releasing any information about the patient because of privacy concerns.

With the hospital’s brief announcement at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Ohio has five confirmed cases of people with the virus — three identified in Cuyahoga County, one in Stark County and one in Trumbull County.

Gov. Mike DeWine earlier Wednesday announced the fourth case of the virus identified in Ohio: a 53-year-old man in Stark County being treated at Mercy Health Medical Center. He has been identified as the first community spread victim.

Community spread means people who contracted the virus without going to a place where the virus has been identified.

“This was not unexpected,” DeWine said.

St. Joe’s is expected to enact new visitor protocols as a result, as well as alternative care sites, according to Jonathan Fauvie, hospital spokesman.

“We follow safety protocols each and every time we care for a patient. In this instance, we followed guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and the Ohio Department of Health to minimize exposure to other patients and our associates,” he said in a statement. “We followed CDC cleaning protocols and St. Joseph Warren Hospital remains a safe place to seek care.”

Robert Pinti, Warren deputy health commissioner, said epidemiology that is required to be done on the patient is being conducted. The patient would have been questioned to determine if he or she had come into contact with anyone else, Pinti said.

“Residents should follow procedures you’ve seen on local televisions news and in newspaper reports,” Pinti said. “Thorough and frequent handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, social distancing, staying home when you feel ill, etc.”

The World Health Organization declared Wednesday that the global coronavirus crisis is now a pandemic as U.S. stocks plunged into bear market territory and several American cities joined European counterparts in banning large gatherings.

By reversing course and using the charged word “pandemic” that it had previously shied away from, the U.N. health agency sought to shock lethargic countries into pulling out all the stops.

“We have called every day for countries to take urgent and aggressive action. We have rung the alarm bell loud and clear,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO chief.

Ohio Health Department Director Dr. Amy Acton said Ohio is currently testing 24 people who have shown symptoms of respiratory distress and has cleared another 21 people.

For most people, the new causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover from the new virus.

JEWISH FEDERATION

Meanwhile, the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation said in an email that one person on the federation staff recently attended a conference that also was attended by a few individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19.

“This staff person is asymptomatic, and was not in direct contact with anyone who has tested positive. A personal doctor, the state board of health, and the county board of health have been consulted. All agree this person’s risk is low. However, in an abundance of caution, this person is staying at home,” the federation said.

Its agencies are the Jewish Community Center of Youngstown, Jewish Family Services, Heritage Manor Rehabilitation & Retirement Community, and Levy Gardens Assisted Living.

The agency said it has enhanced cleaning / disinfecting practices and is following recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Ohio Department of Health, the Mahoning County District Board of Health, the Trumbull County Health Department, and the Columbiana County Health Department.

MALL AND LIBRARY

Southern Park Mall in Boardman said it also has increased the frequency and intensity of already rigorous cleaning and sanitation practices.

These include frequency periodically disinfecting areas most susceptible to the spread of germs. This includes play areas, public restrooms, rental strollers and wheelchairs, door handles, food court tables and other common area touch points.

The mall has increased housekeeping staffing, especially during peak traffic times, and has alcohol-based hand sanitizer dispensers located in highly-trafficked areas and walkways for public use.

But: “Based on advice from medical experts in infectious disease, guests and employees who are sick are encouraged to stay home and avoid close contact with others.”

The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County said all libraries are currently operating with normal hours and with no large-scale changes to programming. High traffic areas, such as door knobs, keyboards, and elevator buttons, are cleaned frequently throughout the day. All library spaces are cleaned by a professional cleaning crew every 24 hours.

Items such as costumes, soft-sided toys, puzzles, and board games that cannot be easily sanitized are being temporarily removed from public areas.

For more information on Ohio’s response to COVID-19, visit www.coronavirus. ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.

COLUMBIANA

Because of COVID-19, the Columbiana County Board of Elections was required by the secretary of state to relocate polling locations at retirement living or senior care facilities.

The changes are:

• Salem City Precincts 1-A and 1-B are moving from the Smith Center, 500 E. 4th St., to the Memorial Building, 785 E. State St.

• Columbiana Village Precinct E from the Harmony Village Social Room, 903 S. Main St., to the Columbiana Public Library, 332 N. Middle St.

• Perry Township Precinct SW from Blossom Nursing Home, 109 Blossom Lane, to the township road department, 1320 Depot Road.

• Wellsville Village Precinct 1 from Gateway West, 500 Main St., to Wellsville High School, 1 Bengal Blvd.