Following is the Wood County Emergency Operation Center’s situation report on the COVID-19 response today (March 21):
Gov. Mike DeWine states he will have more news tomorrow, including new measures to be taken. He asks us to ask ourselves every night before we go to bed, if we have done everything we possibly could to slow this down. He discussed the concept of the EOC, specifically the EOC (emergency operations center) for Ohio that is located in Columbus, and run by the Ohio Emergency Management Agency. He reports that it is there, is functioning, and vitally important.
DeWine announced an order for adult day services including those for individuals with developmental disabilities to be closed across Ohio unless they’re 10 people or less. Small groups and services in-home can continue.
Dr. Amy Acton reminded us that everyone matters and every day matters when it comes to taking the governor’s advice to heart. There is a fallacy that middle America is not impacted by this. We are conserving all of our available testing for the most high risk individuals and workers.
Our current data is only a snapshot and is not telling the full story. There are three confirmed deaths in Ohio, and many others under investigation. We have confirmed clusters of infected individuals.
“This is the time to batten down your hatches, this is the time to stay at home in place.”- Dr. Amy Acton
Lt. Governor Husted stated, “We are not making decisions in isolation.” He said that the Bureau of Workers Compensation is in a position to help. The BWC is going to make sure that businesses can forgo payments for March, April, and May. This will leave $200 million in the economy.
In an effort to assist in the state’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Ohio Department of Transportation has approved a special blanket permit for haulers carrying heavy or oversized loads of food, non-alcoholic beverages, medical supplies, cleaning products, and other household goods.
The blanket permit applies to travel on roads and bridges maintained by the Ohio Department of Transportation (interstate, U.S. and state routes). Fees will be waived for oversized loads. This permit can be printed at transportation.ohio.gov.
Ohio is ordering health insurance companies operating in the state to extend a grace period to businesses who want to defer their premiums for up to 60 calendar days from the original due date. Health insurers must also allow employers to continue covering their workers even if the employee would otherwise become ineligible because of a decrease in the hours that they work per week.
“What we do now, what we do not do now, will really determine ultimately how many Ohioans die. This is an absolutely critical time.” – Governor Mike DeWine
Ohio Cases: 247
Ohio Hospitalizations: 58
Ohio Deaths: 3 (Cuyahoga, Erie, and Lucas Counties)
Wood County Cases: 0
Wood County Hospitalizations: 0
Wood County Deaths: 0
Wood County Emergency Operations Center objectives:
- Coordinate the county’s response to limit spread of COVID-19; and maintain medical care.
- Provide timely, clear, and consistent messaging to the public, stakeholders and media on the status of COVID-19 and actions the public can take to keep themselves safe.
- Determine how county agencies will continue delivery of essential services to Wood County residents while following COVID-19 public health guidelines.
EMA Actions Taken/Planned Actions:
- An abbreviated version of this report can be found daily at: http://woodcountyema.org/covid-19/
- We are actively engaged in procuring PPE for first responders and healthcare.
- Monitoring situation reports from neighboring counties. In ready state to increase the level of activation for our EOC.
- Personal Protective Supplies continue to be in high demand. We have seen many acts of generosity, but we want to remind you that the EMA is the central clearing house for all formal resource requests. If you have items to donate, we would ask that you either donate them to the EMA or consult with our office to ensure the request is vetted. Our office has an understanding of the big picture of the county as a whole, how much agencies already have, and what they need.
It is the goal of the EMA to provide the most up-to-date information, how it may impact Wood County residents, communities, businesses and visitors. If anyone has something to contribute please contact us.
Public Health:
There are 247 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ohio. 33 counties have been affected. No
confirmed positive cases presently in Wood County.
Healthcare:
There has been a movement to encourage citizens that have the capabilities to sew mask covers for hospital workers and first responders. These help to preserve the integrity of their masks to prolong their ability to be used. If you have the capability to do this, please do. You can contact our office and we will take them and get them to those that need them most.
Instructions on how to do this can be found here: https://www.phoebehealth.com/patients-and-visitors/coronavirus/mask-production
Medicaid in partnership with the Governor’s Office, has relaxed regulations to allow Ohioans on Medicaid to access medical and behavioral healthcare providers from their homes. This will largely be done through telehealth. Learn more: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/home/covid-19-checklists/expanded-telehealth-services-covid-19-checklist
EMS:
The EMA and health department have been working with local EMS to try to provide them with much needed PPE. Current guidance from the state is centered around conservation and local procurement. Sharing with your neighbors is being strongly encouraged by the state as a form of mutual aid. Many requests have been submitted and addressed. If you have a need, please put in a formal request in writing to: woodcountyema@co.wood.oh.us .
Business and other:
Cooper Tire has announced a temporary shutdown of their manufacturing facilities
Government:
The U.S. Census Bureau is delaying the deadline for counting everyone in the U.S. by two weeks because of the spreading novel coronavirus. The 2020 census had been scheduled to stop at the end of July, but the deadline has now been extended to mid-August. (Source: WWBT). The 2020 census had been scheduled to stop at the end of July, but the deadline has now been extended to mid-August.
Wood County Courts:
If a citizen has been called to jury duty they are encouraged to contact the jury office at 419-354-9620 or 877-354-9620 if they are over 60 years of age, have a compromised immune system, or are showing signs of possible infection from COVID-19. Citizens called for jury duty to the municipal courts may call 419-352-5263 for Bowling Green and 419-872-7925 for Perrysburg.
The courts will do everything they can to ensure social distancing for those who do serve as jurors and provide all the resources available to the courts to maintain an environment that limits the spread of COVID-19 within all participants in the jury trial.
Administrative Information:
Any information and contributions your agency has for this report is valuable to maintain a common operating picture and situational awareness for the county as a whole. Please reach out to our office via phone or email (email preferred) to share information.
EOC Hours of Operation: 830 a.m. – 430 p.m.
Requesting support: Call Wood County EMA at 419-354-9269 or email woodcountyema@co.wood.oh.us
ODH Call line: 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634)
