By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Four Wood County long-term care facilities now have cases of COVID-19 among residents or staff.
As of Tuesday, there were 51 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in Wood County long-term care facilities – 38 among residents, and 13 staff. All are in the Perrysburg area.
The following facilities have cases:
- Kingston Residence of Perrysburg: 17 residents, 6 staff.
- The Manor at Perrysburg: 13 residents, 5 staff.
- SKLD Perrysburg: 8 residents, 1 staff.
- Otterbein Perrysburg: 1 staff, 0 residents.
During the weekly conference call with local officials on Tuesday morning, Wood County Health Commissioner Ben Batey talked about the growing numbers being found at local long-term care facilities.
“That’s where a lot of testing is being done,” he said.
The county is still short on testing kits, so “they are going to the most in need,” Batey said.
“We want to make sure we stop that spread as soon as possible,” he said of cases among vulnerable older populations.
The nursing home facilities in Perrysburg with cases are working closely with Mercy Hospital in Perrysburg. The hospital is sending out teams to train staff and test residents and staff.
“We want to make sure we’re isolating everyone who needs to be isolated,” Batey said.
It was reported late last week that Dr. Thomas E. Wojciechowski Sr., the medical director for multiple local nursing home facilities, had tested positive for COVID-19.
Wojciechowski is the medical director at three local skilled nursing homes and one assisted living facility in Bowling Green, plus one skilled nursing facility in Perrysburg and another in Findlay.
Last week, Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton signed an order requiring all nursing homes and residential care facilities in Ohio to notify residents and their guardians of positive or probable COVID-19 cases in the facility. The order includes cases involving residents and staff members.
The facilities are required to make notifications within 24 hours after the cases become known. The sites are also required to report on the steps being taken by the facility to reduce the spread of the virus.
The Ohio Department of Health is listing the cases reported at long-term care facilities throughout the state. There were some initial problems with the state listings, so they were removed from the website. However, the new numbers are expected to appear soon and be updated weekly.
