Wood County Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Operation Center’s Situation Report on COVID-19 Response for May 7
Executive Summary:
Gov. Mike DeWine – National Day of Prayer- Traces back to president Truman when he signed the bill in 1952. Through this time we remember in prayer everyone who has been on the frontline of this pandemic. We also pray for our citizens who have been infected by this virus, for their safe recovery, and for those grieving following the loss of loved ones, hope, healing, and strength for all Ohioans in the days to come.
The last week or so we talked about how we need to do 2 things at once- bring back the economy and to stay safe. We are Ohioans and we can do this. A few announcements today regarding things opening up in the economy. How we do it is so very, very important. We have a number of professionals in working groups that have met via phone to come up with the best practices as we open back up. May 12, all retail will open up. We are trying to marry the science and the practicality of that business or industry.
Working group was put together to look at salons, barber shops, nail salons – a report with best practices will be made public. The date for salons is May 15 for opening. Some differences are that with appointments you might need to wait in your car before your scheduled time, only the person getting the service should go in, social distancing will be done in the lobby, no magazines or self-serve beverages in the waiting area, professionals wearing masks, ask those receiving services to wear a mask, some might mandate the mask or face covering, frequent cleaning will be done.
Restaurants and bars – both of these areas are highly regulated normally by the state of Ohio. The group put together weighed in with the best practices. The dates for these food service and bars: outside dining May, inside dining May 21. Space – restaurants are asked to create a floorplan that complies with social distancing guidelines. Party sizes are limited to 10 or less. Each party needs to be separated by physical barrier or six feet. Waiting areas, you may be asked to wait outside or in your car. Buffets and salad bars will be served to you, not self-serve.
Entry ways – COVID symptoms posted to help individuals self-monitor. Employees – required to masks in certain positions, but not all because of some safety exceptions. Guests might be asked to wear a mask at the discretion of the owners. Gloves – Handwashing is the gold standard, gloves aren’t likely to be found on cashiers and servers. These provide a false sense of security. Open congregate spaces will remain closed during this first phase. Bars present a unique challenge, depends on the layout of the bar. We chose not to separate bars and restaurants in this order. We are focusing on the physical space. If you have tables and chairs and can comply with the guidelines then you can open in phase one.
This is a significant time in our journey.
1. This is a marathon not a sprint we are in this for the long haul and we have to get our mind set that way.
2. What we have to do to open up the economy and to keep us safe, is complicated. The best practices discussed today in these professions are very important. Ensure safety for staff, customers, and instill confidence.
3. There is still a lot we don’t know about the virus. This is constantly changing. We know more today than we did before but we have a lot to learn.
4. As we open up, the risk is up. More contacts equal more risk. We expect this. We think currently we are at a 1:1 ratio. Each person infected is expected to infect 1 other person. Opening up the economy will increase the numbers but we need to do what we can to keep this down.
Testing – numbers going up dramatically but is still not enough. Testing and tracing is integral to what we do. We have control over ourselves. As we go through this, it is so important for us to continue to social distance and to wear masks when possible. This will determine whether we can do this or not. This is a gamble, a new part of the journey. This road has never been traveled before. The danger is when we relax, pull back, or say that things are better. If we relax, things are not going to go the way we want them to go. We don’t want to see a spike.
To those under 60, with no medical problems – we look at the numbers for people like you and the death rate is small, the risk isn’t as much as those older than you. There are some things we do know – you can still get awfully sick, some die. You can be a carrier and not know that you are. Be careful for others, wear your mask for others. The virus is still here it has not gone away. This too will pass, it is not forever. There will be ample opportunities after this to do the things you want to do.
There will be a childcare announcement on Monday.
The majority of us can wear masks, if we increased the percentage of people out and about wearing them we can save lives. If the bill being put forth by the legislature to limit the health director’s power makes it to my desk I will veto it. The essence of this law has been in the books for 100 years. This law has been used, and recently updated. We are in the middle of an emergency that we have not faced in 102 years. I don’t understand why anyone would think this is a great time to be changing the law to take away the power of the executive branch to protect people. Health concerns is historically something the governor’s office deals with. I intend to follow my oath and take care of these problems. Any bill or attempt that gets in the way of our ability to protect the state of Ohio is a bill I will be forced to veto to protect the state of Ohio. The actions we have taken thus far have been highly successful. This bill would strip the governor of the ability to take quick actions, which is what is needed in a crisis such as this.
Lt. Gov. Jon Husted – Cosmetology, personal services, and restaurants guidance will be posted. These groups are accustomed to being regulated. May is moving month. We have learned so much in the last few months but we are still learning. After May 12, 89% of the economy of the state will be open. We need to selflessly protect each other. I know most people don’t enjoy wearing masks, but it is about the responsibility we have towards each other.
Dr. Amy Acton – 175,000 tests done in Ohio. Overall, 21-day trend has been fairly stable, we are still plateaued for the most part. Opening back up increases potential for spread. It is an honor to be a public servant. All of my energy is focused on the virus.
Ohio Confirmed Cases: 21,232
Ohio Probable Cases: 999
Ohio Total Confirmed plus Probable: 22,131
Ohio Hospitalizations: 4,140
ICU Admissions: 1,167
Ohio Confirmed COVID Deaths: 1,153
Ohio Probable COVID Deaths: 118
Wood County Cases (total plus probable): 211
Wood County Hospitalizations: 55
Wood County Long Term Care Cases: 158
Wood County Deaths: 29
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 you have PPE to donate, if you have any PPE needs or have any questions.
- 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.
Businesses looking for large suppliers of cloth masks can contact Skyrocket/BiG Fab Labs at 419-466-0668 or kevin@skyrocketbox.com .
We are working with local dentist offices and doctors’ offices in locating PPE as they open back up.
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 21232 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ohio. There are 211 cases (total confirmed plus probable) presently in Wood County, 55 of those hospitalized, 158 in long term care, 29 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 .
Wood County Hospital has reopened to provide the services that were temporarily paused due to COVID-19 and for the conservation of PPE. Be assured we are well equipped to provide safe care during the pandemic. If you have medical visits scheduled, including preventive screenings, please contact your provider to discuss your appointments and don’t delay the care you need.
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.
Law Enforcement/Fire/EMS:
Law enforcement grant funding available. Ocjs.ohio.gov for more information
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
Wood County Parks District
The Park Board of Commissioners will have their scheduled Board of Park Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, May 12, at 4 p.m. The meeting will be a live-streamed and recorded video conference. Ways to access the meeting: Park District website www.wcparks.org/whats-new/ , direct link: https://stream.meet.google.com/stream/2957f0a9-8966-4107-8424-b852f1bef7e4 ,
Conquer a multi-park self-guided scavenger hunt through the Wood County Park District. The first two clues are virtual, then eight physical clues are located at parks and nature preserves. The first clue can be found at facebook.com/WoodCountyParkDistrict.
Community members who conquer the quest will receive a set of bamboo cutlery (fork, knife, and spoon) that are perfect for picnics. Nature Quest runs now through May 25.
Visit www.wcparks.org/whats-new/ for educational activities, park updates, Carter Historic Farm history class and weekly video series: Backyard Naturalist, Skits for Snake and Just Nature. Wood County Park District parks and preserves are open daily from 8 a.m. until 30 minutes past sunset. Observe social distancing of 6-10 feet from anyone who does not live in a household. Restrooms are open. Park-goers are asked to wear a mask inside the restroom. Through June 22, playgrounds and facilities are closed, programs and events are canceled, and park district headquarters are closed to the public.
BGSU:
Publishing a situation report twice/week.
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.
Local:
Mother’s Day is this Sunday. Try to plan ahead when it comes to purchasing gifts. Consider calling businesses ahead of time to see if they are open and/or if they offer curbside pickup. Many greenhouses are open, but pay attention to their requirements in regards to masking and social distancing. These rules vary by the business.
Wood County Canine Alliance is having a pet supply donation drive Friday, May 8, 12-4 p.m. in the Petco Bowling Green parking lot. There are three ways to give: order online at Petco.com and we’ll pick up, drop off donations, porch pick up by appointment.
The St. Aloysius Food Pantry in Bowling Green is open and operating at its normal hours – weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon, and from 1 to 3 p.m. The pantry is located at the church office at 150 S. Enterprise St., but please access the pantry at the Clough Street parking lot/office entrance. In this time of COVID-19, our volunteers are practicing the appropriate health recommendations of social distancing, facial coverings, frequent handwashing and disinfecting our carts. A pre-packed “bin” of pantry items, as well as fresh produce and bakery items, are available. No ID or proof of income required.
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. Nurses week is also May 6 -12. Thank you all for your dedication.
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.
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
