Wood County Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Operation Center’s Situation Report on COVID-19 Response for June 18.
Executive Summary:
Gov. Mike DeWine – For the economy to grow it is imperative that Ohio not see significant spikes in the Coronavirus. Public confidence is so very important for growing the economy. Testing is going up and will continue to go up. This is very important. The second thing Ohioans need to do is to stay focused – continue to do social distancing, and having more and more of us wearing masks and washing hands.
We are going to have more testing opportunities. We encourage people to go out and get tested at these popup testing sites. The Governor, First Lady and Lt. Governor were all tested on camera for COVID by the National Guard. Three ads will be starting this week- two of these are paid for by ODH and one was paid for by Ohio BWC airing across the state for three weeks. These are focused on mask wearing, social distancing, washing hands, and letting people know we are in this together. We are in pretty good shape but we are seeing an uptick in certain parts of the state. How well we do depends on all of us. When we go out, it is critical we continue to use best practices. These precautions protect each and every one of us and help us fight back against the virus.
Vandalism at the Statehouse – in discussions with the OSHP it is clear they didn’t have enough people who were there when that occurred, DeWine said. It has been assured this will not happen again. Protests – vast majority of people demonstrating are protesting peacefully, but there are clearly 150-200 people in Columbus who are there for violence and this will not be tolerated, DeWine said. Demonstrations are positive things, and people have every right to do that, but when we reach the point when there is violence that is not to be tolerated. Look, we have seen businesses vandalized, we don’t know every story of every owner, many are small businesses and have invested, and to see that wiped away in an act of violence and vandalism is a very sad thing to see. Talked to OSHP and the mayor of Columbus, and their investigations continue. I have instructed them that when there is vandalism or an act that is illegal they are to investigate it and to take that to prosecution. We will seek prosecution in any case that we have. Protestors – some wearing masks some were not. We remind you again that we are all in this together. Your actions impact other people. Keep social distancing. These things are very important. It is imperative for everyone to keep the social distance and to do everything you can do slow the spread of this virus. When there are people at the protests looking towards violence and looking towards unlawful things it is very difficult for police and chiefs of police and mayors. These are not easy decisions, and these are sometimes made in a tough environment. These are not easy, we can all go back and play the video and second guess but the people who are making those decisions from mayors to chiefs of police, to the police themselves, these are not easy situations to be in.
Dr. Sarah Bodey – The number of vaccines being administered to children has been in decline during the pandemic. This is concerning because vaccines are critical to prevent infectious disease in children. Pediatric offices are open and are safe. We will be working hard to catch back up and close this gap. We encourage everyone to schedule their well check visits for their children as soon as possible.
Lt. Gov. Jon Husted – The theme of his remarks were built around freedom and mutual respect. We have received a lot of questions about 4th of July celebrations. We are in that season headed toward Independence Day, people want to exercise their freedoms. We ask that you do this with mutual respect. We have the right to peaceably protest, but we need to respect each other and listen to one another. Defacing public and private property, and disrupting traffic is not a right and does not respect your fellow citizen. All of us can escalate or de-escalate this during this process. Fireworks – The large gathering order is still in place. We ask that you do celebrate safely if you do decide to do it. Fireworks are not prohibited, they can proceed. We encourage individuals to watch them from their home, or car if able. Can celebrate with distancing, disinfecting, wearing masks, and staying in small groups.
Ohio Confirmed Cases: 42,767
Ohio Probable Cases: 3,360
Ohio Total Confirmed plus Probable: 46,127
Ohio Hospitalizations: 7,379
ICU Admissions: 1,876
Ohio Confirmed COVID Deaths: 2,497
Ohio Probable COVID Deaths: 238
*For daily state hospitalization data please visit: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/dashboards/key-metrics/hospitalizations/key-metrics-on-hospitalizations scroll to the bottom, find the date you are looking for and hover your mouse over that bar.
Wood County Cases (total plus probable): 342
Wood County Hospitalizations: 67
Wood County Long Term Care Cases: 201
Wood County Deaths: 51
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:
• State EMA – Health & Medical – Over the past 24 hours, ODH reported 729 (45,537) total new cases was above the 21-day average. 4 (2,704) deaths, 50 (7,292) hospitalizations, and 8 (1,852) ICU admissions were below their respective 21-day averages. Current models show current medical capacity capable of handling COVID-19 caused stressors.
• Lightning Safety Awareness Week June 21-27. Lightning can occur during any time of the year, but lightning casualties are highest during summer, with July generally the month producing the most lightning. Take time during this weather safety campaign to learn what to do before, during and after thunderstorms, and to practice severe weather safety & preparedness throughout the summer. OCSWA News Release: https://lnks.gd/2/Hx2MhT
• The Wood County EMA has cloth masks available for local government entities. Please contact us if you have a need. These will be given on a first come first served basis.
• Please contact us if you have PPE to donate, if you have any PPE needs or have any questions, or if you know citizens looking to purchase masks, please connect them with our office and we can give them the contact information of local mask sellers.
Public Health:
• There are 42,767 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ohio. There are 342 cases (total confirmed plus probable) presently in Wood County, 67 of those are or have been hospitalized, 201 in long term care, 51 deaths.
• Wood County Community Health Center and the Ohio National Guard are partnering to provide COVID-19 testing at the health center located at 1840 E. Gypsy Lane Road in Bowling Green. This will take place on Tuesday, June 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tests will be administered from the parking lot while you remain in your car. Testing will be available for people of all ages, including those without symptoms. No physician order is required and there is no out of pocket cost. Test results will be available in 3-5 days. This testing is available to everyone and not restricted to Wood County residents. Please call the health center at 419-354-9049 to pre-register and schedule an appointment Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tests are self-administered and are designed to detect active COVID-19 infection. These are not antibody tests.
• Case follow-up and contact tracing – Confirmed and probable cases are reported to the health department. Several health department staff are involved in contacting cases and their close contacts to ensure isolation and quarantine guidelines are followed. In addition, a UT professor has enlisted a pool of trained nursing and other students to help the health department with interviews of cases and their close contacts.
• Testing – testing locations and other local information, as well as links to ODH and CDC resources, can be found at Coronavirus.WoodCountyHealth.org
Healthcare:
• For agency resource requests, please contact us at: woodcountyema@co.wood.oh.us. Please note that many long term care facilities will soon be expected to pursue PPE through their regionally assigned hospital (Wood County Hospital). This is a new process and additional communication on this should be coming soon.
• Wood County Hospital: COVID-19 testing registration will take place over the phone and collection will take place outdoors when possible to limit potential virus exposure.
• If an agency doesn’t have fit test capability and they need staff fit tested, Wood County Hospital Ready Works does fit testing for N95 masks. The cost is $25/person. They need to bring their own mask, schedule in advance 419-373-4162, complete a questionnaire, and takes about 15 minutes per person.
BGSU:
• Now publishing a situation report once/week.
• We invite students, faculty, and staff to join us for a series of virtual programs focused on Race in the United States, and how BGSU has a responsibility to foster an inclusive environment that promotes and nurtures diversity, empowers and supports people, and builds up a community where all are respected, welcomed, valued, and affirmed.
• The university 2020 Reopening Plan emphasizes physical distancing and other advice from local health officials. Due to the inherent risks community living will present, it is necessary for us to adjust our move-in plan and revise our housing policies and procedures to adapt to the on-going pandemic. The new face covering policy is spelled out in detail on the site. According to the website, “Each residence hall is its own, individual community and students with roommates and suite-mates will be treated as a single household.” Masks will be mandated. “Everyone in the residence halls will be expected to wear cloth face coverings in all common areas, which is considered to be any area outside of a personal room or suite within the residence hall.Standing 6 feet apart does not excuse the requirement of wearing a mask.” The policies go so far as to detail the order of operations and number of face masks required when entering a common bathroom for showering and brushing teeth. Residence halls have an extensive list of changes. Entry and exit locations will be restricted, there will be hand sanitizing stations and student gatherings will be limited. There will also be protocol changes to the community kitchens, laundry, lounges, computer labs and to the front desk. Additionally, guests and visitors will not be allowed from move-in through Sept. 8. The isolation policy, if a student contracts COVID-19, will require that the student leave campus for the duration of whatever the current quarantine requirements are. As such, each student is going to be required to complete an action plan. The plan will outline where the student will go and other related details. The BGSU two-year residency requirement still exists, but for the first time it can be appealed. Appeals forms must be submitted by June 26. If appealed the $200 housing payments will be refunded.
The move-in dates are now earlier, because of the university calendar change that has the semester starting Aug. 26. The new dates are now from Aug. 20 – 25. A new move-in plan is also in the works, but won’t be finalized until July 15.
• Fall semester classes will now start on Wednesday, Aug. 26. To best plan and to lessen the impact COVID-19 may have on our campuses, in-person classes will end on Wednesday, Nov. 25. The last week of classes will be Nov. 30-Dec. 4, 2020, and will be conducted remotely. Final exam week will be Dec. 7-11, 2020, and will also be conducted remotely. In addition, to provide maximized flexibility, we have also canceled Winter Session in 2021. Based upon current planning, classes for spring semester will now begin on Jan. 11, 2021, and end on April 30, 2021.
Local:
• Bowling Green is ending a months-long moratorium on shutoffs for delinquent electrical customers. At last week’s council meeting, Utilities Director Brian O’Connell said that due to issues related to the coronavirus pandemic, delinquent customers increased by a factor of 2 to 2.5 compared to 2019 numbers. He said that in May, those numbers began to shrink with some beginning to pay bills again. O’Connell said that shutoffs for non-payments would start in the first pay of July. However, the BPU has approved a three-month payment plan that could be set up; in the past, customers could seek a one-month payment plan to catch up on past charges. He said that right now the plan is to contact relevant customers and notify them this month of the policy changes and how to make payment plans.
• Habitat for Humanity of Wood County Ohio is building two homes in Wayne, and is now accepting applications for its Homeownership Program. Call 419-353-5430 or email info@wchabitat.org to request an application. More information here: https://wchabitat.org/what-we-do/
• Perrysburg- Harrison Rally Day is canceled for 2020. Way Public Library will begin reopening to the public with some modifications to hours and services on July 1.
• NIOT BG is hosting Community Conversations: Law Enforcement Policies and Practices, on Wednesday, June, 24, 7 p.m. The event is a continuation in a series and will be held online. The format of the event is designed to foster understanding and provide meaningful and productive conversation. The event will be facilitated by moderators Tonya Rider, Title IX Investigator at BGSU and Phil Stinson, Professor of Criminal Justice at BGSU, and will feature a panel of community leaders who will listen, answer questions, and lead discussion. Panel members include BGPD Chief Tony Hetrick, BGSU Safety Director Mike Campbell, Peaceful Protest Organizer Anthony King, and Peaceful Protest Organizer Atonn Smeltzer. Opening Remarks will be provided by BG Mayor Mike Aspacher, BGSU President Rodney Rogers and BGSU Provost Joe Whitehead.
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. to 4:30 p.m.
We do not answer phones during the governor’s press conference. Please feel free to send an email during those times or leave a message and we will get back to you when we are able to.
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
An abbreviated version of this report can be found at: http://woodcountyema.org/covid-19/ .
