In an email to residents just before 5 p.m. Sunday, Bexley Mayor Ben Kessler announced that a Bexley resident recently tested positive for COVID-19.

The resident is one of two new positive tests in Franklin County announced by Franklin County Public Health this morning.

“This is a grounding moment,” Kessler wrote. “While we and our regional partners have been preparing for this for the past several weeks, it is nonetheless an important inflection point in this public health emergency, and one which we take seriously.”

The mayor also announced new guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus in the email:

Residents are directed to commence daily health and temperature checks, and to self-quarantine if they develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19 until cleared by medical professionals

The city’s single use plastic ban is temporarily lifted, and residents are directed to clean reusable bags between uses

Recommendation to close all fitness facilities and indoor play spaces

Places of worship are encouraged to provide alternate means of worship, and to take additional precautions when it comes to seating and the cleaning of high-touch surfaces.

A university official has not yet responded to a request for comment on the situation.

Per the most recent update on COVID-19 and the university, no one on Capital’s campus has tested positive for the virus.

Last week, the university canceled classes through Friday and suspended university-sponsored travel. Classes will continue online starting this Monday, March 16.

As of now, students may remain in university housing, and dining services are still available. Many campus events have been postponed or canceled, including sports events.