Wood County Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Operation Center’s Situation Report on COVID-19 Response
This May 4 report communicates Wood County Emergency Operations Center’s activity over the past 24 hours.
Executive Summary:
Gov. Mike DeWine – He asked for a moment of silence in honor of the anniversary of the Kent State tragedy. Flags have been ordered to fly at half-mast today.
DeWine said he will soon announce the date that restaurants can start back up, this announcement will be in the next few days. Each one of the working groups is composed of people from those industries. May 12 all retail will be completely open. He reminded everyone that all retail places are allowed to allow shoppers via appointment and curbside pickup currently as they are able. The new phase emphasis moving forward is on “how.” We need to go back in the safest way possible, relying on those working groups the administration has formed.
Demonstrators – It is not fair game to disrespect the news media. You need to observe social distancing and not be obnoxious towards them. “I am fair game, they are not. I am the elected official. I ran for office. Members of my cabinet, Dr. Acton included, work exceedingly hard. I set the policy. If you don’t like the policy, demonstrate against me that is fair game. But to bother the family of Dr. Acton, I don’t think that’s fair game, right, or necessary to get your point across. The buck stops with me. I am the responsible person.”
Testing – we now have a very aggressive testing program. In about a week Ohio will be able to test 22,000 per day across the state. We will still continue to focus testing on those moderately ill and those critical to keeping us safe. Testing is only one response to the virus. Contact tracing is ramping us also. New guidance for testing will be published on the coronavirus.ohio.gov website.
Lt. Gov. Jon Husted – we are creating an online system to assist the BMV with an orderly process upon their reopening. More information on this to follow. A large number of these services are available online. There will be suspended expiration dates until we get the BMVs opened back up. Many folks got back to work today, and all of them are safer today due to the protocols. The work groups (personal care, restaurants) have been working diligently. We can do two things at once, open the economy and do this as safely as possible. We are learning to live with coronavirus for some time. Ohio is in much better shape today than some other states due to early actions.
Dr. Amy Acton – We are seeing hospitalizations make up 19% of cases, ICU admissions 5%, healthcare workers make up 16%. She spoke about the priority 2 testing group. These are residents of long term care and congregate facilities, 65 and older, first responders, public health workers, critical infrastructure workers, those with underlying conditions, those exposed directly (residents and staff) to an outbreak. In the future we will be looking more towards the mildly ill, all testing still needs a physician’s order. Eventually when we have the capacity to test those that are asymptomatic. Testing capacity- daily testing has been increasing. We are going to keep tracking this. About 41 tests/100,000 population at present. Goal 150/100,000 population. 1.3% of population of Ohio has been tested.
Moving forward, we did miraculous things together as a state. We gave ourselves the time to prepare for the disease to avoid overwhelming the hospitals. Our job moving forward is to monitor the numbers, look for outbreaks, do intense contact tracing, and decrease the spread of the disease. We will be living with this for a while.
Ohio Confirmed Cases: 19,609
Ohio Probable Cases: 865
Ohio Total Confirmed plus Probable: 20,474
Ohio Hospitalizations: 3,809
ICU Admissions: 1,090
Ohio Confirmed COVID Deaths: 975
Ohio Probable COVID Deaths: 81
Wood County Cases (total plus probable): 193
Wood County Hospitalizations: 54
Wood County Long Term Care Cases: 118
Wood County Deaths: 24
County EOC Objectives:
1. Coordinate the county’s response to limit spread of COVID-19; and maintain medical care.
2. 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.
3. Determine how county agencies will continue delivery of essential services to Wood County residents while following COVID-19 public health guidelines.
4. Prevent, identify, mitigate, and respond to COVID19 hotspots within the county.
EMA:
An abbreviated version of this report can be found at: http://woodcountyema.org/covid-19/ .
Also, please contact us if:
– If you have PPE to donate, if you have any PPE needs or have any questions. Thank you Blanquility by Erica for the mask donation this morning.
– If you know citizens looking to purchase masks, connect them with our office and we can give them the contact information of local mask sellers.
– Businesses looking for large suppliers of cloth masks can contact Skyrocket/BiG Fab Labs at 419-466-0668 or kevin@skyrocketbox.com .
EMA and public health have been working with areas of concern and identified “hotspots” in the county to ensure their PPE supply is adequate to meet the needs of the situation. We continue to accept, inventory, and fulfill PPE resource requests. We are expecting two more shipments of PPE this week.
Ohio Emergency PPE Maker’s Exchange is an available online resource to share and purchase personal protective equipment created through the ingenuity of Ohio manufacturers who have answered the call to help. https://repurposingproject.sharetribe.com/
Public Health:
There are 19609 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ohio. There are 193 cases (total confirmed plus probable) presently in Wood County, 54 of those hospitalized, 118 in long term care, and 24 deaths.
Health department staff are answering calls regarding testing, essential business concerns, employee safety, the stay-at-home order and many other questions.
Case follow-up and close contact tracing is being coordinated by a team of employees.
Wood County residents who feel they may have coronavirus are encouraged to complete a survey that will help local public health better track the illness. Wood County residents are asked to report coronavirus symptoms at https://tinyurl.com/WoodCountyCOVID19 .
Healthcare:
For formal resource requests, please contact us at: woodcountyema@co.wood.oh.us .
Law Enforcement/Fire/EMS:
Grant funding is available for law enforcement. Ocjs.ohio.gov for more information
Many PPE 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 .
Wood County Health Department is implementing a new procedure for testing symptomatic first responders or their immediate household family members through UTMC. Requests for testing must be sent by the Chief to FRCovid19@co.wood.oh.us
For the past 15 months, the Wood County First Responder Support Team has been reaching out to those who need help dealing with the stress, whether it’s directly related to incidents on the job or life issues with family, marriage, kids. The support team offers first responders a chance to talk one on one, with full confidentiality, to a peer – someone who knows the drill. These volunteers have been trained through the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police.
Wood County Clerk of Courts:
Starting today, the public will be able to schedule an appointment with the Wood County Clerk of Courts, Auto Title Office to allow them to process personal vehicle titling matters. Cindy Hofner, clerk of courts is revising the office hours on a temporary basis from to 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Call the title office at 419-354-9182 to schedule an appointment. Masks and social distancing requirements will be enforced. People who are not feeling well, should stay home. No one will be allowed into the title office without a previously scheduled appointment.
Wood County Landfill:
The Public Drop-off area of the Wood County Landfill is re-opened. This area has been closed since the Governor issued the Shelter-in-Place Order. All people coming to do business at the Landfill are required to wear a mask, scarf, or covering on their face while at the payment window. Please be prepared with your own mask
BGSU:
Publishing a situation report twice/week.
Participate in Senior Week by sharing your experience on social media with the hashtag #BGSU2020Seniors! Monday, May 4 – #MondayMemories | Tuesday, May 5 – #TransformationTuesday | Wednesday, May 6 – #WisdomWednesday Thursday, May 7 – #ThankfulThursday | Friday, May 8 – #FlashForwardFriday
BGSU is planning to reduce the domestic, non-resident surcharge to $1 per credit hour for out-of-state students who have completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Ohio from an Ohio institution and who enroll in a degree-seeking graduate program for the 2020-2021 academic school year, starting with fall 2020.
BGSU Athletics is partnering with Campus Pollyeyes, Sam B’s, and Jimmy John's to feed local hospital, nursing home, law enforcement, and grocery store workers on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19. Please click the link below to provide a free meal for these hometown heroes. For every meal purchased you will receive a FREE ticket to BGSU Football’s 2020 home opener on Saturday, Sept. 12. You can be a part of the fight and help make a difference. http://l.email.bgsufalcons.com/rts/go2.aspx?h=5764&tp=i-1NGB-Hm-D5-LYOr-23-FMk-1c-LMwv-l4Xw9Nctab-1RzBnQ”
Local:
This week is Teacher Appreciation Week. Ohio’s teachers have always been wonderful, but they have truly gone above and beyond during the COVID19 crisis. It is also International Firefighters Appreciation Day. Nurses week begins May 6 -12. Thank You for your dedication.
Perrysburg City Council will be meeting on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public at the Municipal Building, 201 W. Indiana Ave. In an effort to promote social distancing, the meeting will be simultaneously accessible through a teleconference call in number. The City Council meeting can be listened to by dialing 866-866-2244, and then entering the Participant Code 8428504#. Due to the constraints of the teleconference system, the system will allow the public to listen to the meeting, but cannot accommodate audience participation. Any individuals who have questions or concerns that they would like addressed by the City Council but do not wish to appear at the Municipal Building are urged to submit their questions in advance of the meeting to msutton@ci.perrysburg.oh.us .
NWWSD: District-Wide Hydrant Flushing work starts today. Effective today through November, weekdays from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., crews will be flushing hydrants in various locations throughout Wood County. Through May 15, crews will be hydrant flushing in Perry Township, Weston, Custar and Milton Center. Residents are advised to flush water from their taps if the water becomes discolored. For more information: http://www.nwwsd.org/what-we-do/water/water-facts/hydrant-main-line-flushing-info/
Wood County Humane Society: We’ll be open by appointment only starting Tuesday, May 5, for the following opportunities: adoptions (please read adoption information below), intakes/surrenders (may be a waiting period but we will work with everyone as fast as we can), food assistance, donations, and TNR appointments. Please call the shelter to schedule an appointment, for additional questions, and for more details about health and safety requirements while visiting, 419-352-7339. We are also changing our hours slightly for at least the next couple of weeks. We will be scheduling appointments between 12-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday for the above listed opportunities.
Wood County Dog Shelter: The dog shelter will be open to the public during normal shelter hours, including Saturdays, starting Monday, May 4, with hours of M,T,W,F – 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; TH – 8:30 a.m. – Noon, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.; SAT – 9 a.m. – Noon; SUN – closed LIMITED ENTRY – Only one person, or two people who live together, will be permitted entry into the Shelter at a time. Please check your temperature at home before coming to the Shelter. If you have a fever (over 99 degrees) or are experiencing shortness of breath, body aches, muscle aches, or headaches, please do not come to the Shelter. Masks/face coverings are required.
The Bowling Green Farmers Market will open for the season on May 13. Hours are 4-7 p.m. It is located downtown in the Huntington Bank parking lot in the 200 block of South Main Street. The farmers market will be dedicating the first hour weekly from 4-5 p.m. for vulnerable shoppers. Vulnerable shoppers include the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. The Ohio Department of Agriculture has released the stipulations for the 2020 season of the farmers markets, according to the Bowling Green group’s Facebook page.
COVID testing will occur at Bowling Green State University at the Perry Field House located at 801 N. Mercer Road. Testing will be held Wednesday, May 6, and Thursday, May 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ohioans can register at: http://krogerhealth.com/covidtesting . People needing a test will use a virtual screening tool based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to see if they are eligible. Those who are eligible for the testing include CDC Priority 1, 2 and 3. Criteria for testing include persons with COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) who: are healthcare workers, are first responders (EMS, fire, law enforcement), are 65 years of age or older, are critical infrastructure workers with symptoms, have a chronic health condition (heart disease, lung disease or an immune-system-lowering condition, such as diabetes) Experience mild symptoms and live in communities with high numbers of COVID-19 hospitalizations Those eligible will next select the appropriate testing location and appointment time. Then, registrants will receive an email confirmation with pre-appointment paperwork. When the patient arrives for a test, they should have a photo ID ready and leave their windows rolled up for check-in. A healthcare practitioner will approach the car and alert the patient when to roll down their window. The drive-thru testing location has a self- administered nasal swab that must be ordered and observed by a provider. Kroger determined this testing methodology is beneficial as it increases the number of tests that can be provided while conserving the personal protective equipment utilized. Test results are expected within approximately 48 hours. The Columbus testing site will handle approximately 330 tests per day.
BG Municipal Court – All people entering the Bowling Green Municipal Court facility will be required to wear a face mask, scarf, shield or other face covering. Six-feet social distancing will be maintained. The court will not provide face masks or have them available for the general public. Visitors will have their temperatures taken and be asked basic health questions. Visitors with temperatures of 100 degrees or higher, or who have been exposed to COVID-19 will be denied entry.
Staff from Eastwood and Lake school districts are planning parades this week. Lake’s parade will be Wednesday from 6:30-8 p.m. on the campus, off Ohio 795, in Millbury. The parade will celebrate staff. To participate, enter the campus from the high school driveway and follow the marked route, which will exit from the elementary lot. Eastwood will hold a staff appreciation parade on Wednesday from 6:30-7 p.m. on campus. Cars will enter the campus via the Bus loop in front of Eastwood Elementary on Sugar Ridge Road and wind through and exit out on Luckey Road by the high school. Students are invited to wave and say hello to a favorite teacher or bus driver.
United Way of Greater Toledo is providing safe and socially distant volunteer opportunities, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to drastically impact health and human services across Lucas, Wood and Ottawa counties. For individuals who would like to volunteer, visit www.211nwo.org . There, you will see two content rows, one noting “Volunteer Opportunities” and the other “Agencies in Need of Volunteers.” By clicking on “Volunteer Opportunities,” you will be able to add your contact information to a volunteer email list, which allows you to hear about new or updated volunteer happenings first. You can view and sign up for open opportunities today when selecting “sign up to volunteer now.”
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: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 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)
www.coronavirus.ohio.gov
