The Vermilion Police Department was forced to close its doors to the public from Aug. 26-28 due to a coronavirus outbreak.
Vermilion Police Department Chief Chris Hartung enacted an emergency backup plan that could be implemented for a COVID-19 outbreak or any other emergency situation, said Vermilion Mayor Jim Forthofer.
No service to the public was lost, stated Forthofer in his report to City Council at its meeting Aug. 28.
“I appreciate the chief’s good management that ensures Vermilion residents of constant police coverage regardless of difficulty,” Forthofer said.
“As safety director, I thank the public for their understanding,” he said, adding that the Erie County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Police Department during the closure.
The Lorain County Health Department still is urging residents to get tested if they think they have COVID-19, according to its website https://www.loraincountyhealth.com/coronavirus.
People should get tested for COVID-19 if they have symptoms of the virus, the website said.
if you have come into close contact with someone with COVID-19, you should be tested to check for infection at least five days after the last close contact with that person, according to the website.
At-home COVID-19 test kits are available at no cost at Lorain County Public Health.
Residents may pick up COVID-19 test kits during business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 9880 Murray Ridge Road in Elyria.
Supplies are limited, according to the health department.
For more information, call Lorain County Public Health at 440-322-6367 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., weekdays.
