Print
Share page with AddThis

Covid-19 Information

 

Gambier Wastewater SARS-CoV-2 Virus Report

2020-2023

The Village of Gambier monitors wastewater for levels of RNA from dead coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID disease.  Samples are from the Village of Gambier Wastewater Treatment Plant. From August, 2022, viral RNA N2 has been measured and reported by the Ohio Department of Health. The data are normally updated Thursdays. For questions contact: slonczewski @ kenyon.edu

CDC Community Levels for Knox County can be found HERE

MASKING UPDATE 1/5/23
Current CDC Covid-19 Community Level for Knox County: LOW.
The village’s ordinance requiring facial coverings is not in effect unless we are deemed HIGH

 

MASKING UPDATE 2/28/22
The CDC’s new guidelines and county ratings were released Friday and we have been reviewing the implications for our community. After due consideration, we have concluded that the ordinance requiring facial coverings in indoor public spaces is no longer in effect. While Knox County’s transmission risk is still rated as Substantial, our Community Level is rated as Medium. Should the Community Level rise to High while the Ordinance is still active, then the requirements will once again be in effect.

Village Council will be addressing the changing circumstances both this evening at the Public Safety committee and next Monday at our regular session of Council. Please reach out with any questions or concerns and thank you for helping us keep our community safe.

Leeman Kessler
Mayor of Gambier, Ohio

FACE MASKS REQUIRED INDOORS
Per Village of Gambier Ordinance No. 2021-19
An ordinance extending the mandate that persons wear face coverings while indoors at places of public accommodation and public settings within the Village of Gambier, Ohio and correlating enforcement to community transmission levels identified by CDC and Knox County Public Health records.

Wastewater Testing Update


The Village of Gambier, in collaboration with Kenyon College, embarked on a twice-weekly testing of the wastewater plant influent for the presence of COVID-19. Testing began June 8, 2020 and went until May 9, 2022

Starting in August of 2022, Gambier partnered with Ohio Department of Health to monitor wastewater. Information can be found here.

Wastewater influent is the flow that comes into the village treatment plant from the sanitary sewer collection system of village homes, businesses, and the College facilities which means the shed virus could come from residents, workers or visitors to the village.

Gambier and Kenyon are at the forefront of this testing concept as health experts believe the presence of the virus in wastewater sampling could help public health officials prepare for a possible outbreak of cases.

Those interested in more scientific details can refer to this link.

The Village can also provide the raw testing results from Source Molecular, the Florida testing lab, to anyone that requests it by emailing.

“Please continue maintaining safe hygiene practices such as hand washing, social distancing and the wearing of masks, particularly in the shared spaces in the village,” Mayor Leeman Kessler stated.

The Knox County Community Health Center will offer testing to anyone whether they are symptomatic or asymptomatic. The testing is by appointment only. Appointments can be made by calling 740-399-8008. The testing is free.

Community Center
The Community Center is open to the public weekdays. Residents doing business with the Village are encouraged to make an appointment or use the outside drop box for payments. Utility payments and parking tickets can also be made online. Pre-announced public meetings will still occur but are subject to format change and/or cancellation which will be made by public notice.

The Gambier Community Library is now open offering a full range of services. Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For questions call (740) 427-2665.

Place water bill and tax payments in the secure drop box out front. Water payments and parking tickets can also be paid online.

For water bill questions, call 740-427-2061
For tax questions, call 740-427-2051

Thank you for your patience and understanding.