By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Hot ticket items this Christmas included charcuterie boards, scented candles – and rapid home tests for COVID. And like other sought after items, the supply of test kits was far short of the demand.
After handing out approximately 25,000 free home tests in the last two weeks, the Wood County Health Department’s supply has been depleted.
“We ran out around 1 o’clock today,” Wood County Health Commissioner Ben Robison said after a special health board meeting Thursday evening.
In preparation for pre-holiday gathering tests, the health department also passed out thousands more tests to local libraries, senior centers and schools, where the public could easily access them. Some of those sites also ran dry.
“Libraries that could directly order test kits were running out,” Robison said.
With 113 health departments in the state, the paperback book size boxes were in high demand.
“People wanted to test before family gatherings. I think some of the demand will drop off now,” Robison said.
Wood County has seen a spike in COVID cases, deaths and hospitalizations in the past two weeks. During that period, there were 1,469 new COVID cases, 13 deaths and 32 hospitalizations reported.
The jump in COVID cases in Wood County could be attributed to the high number of tests being done. However, that theory can be questioned since 20,000 of the 25,000 test kits were unproctored – meaning positive results were only reported to the health department if the testing individuals reported it themselves.
Wood County Health Department has placed orders to the Ohio Department of Health for additional rapid home tests, but it is unknown when those requests will be filled, Robison said.
“We’ve been really thankful to get what we’ve gotten,” he said.
Two types of home rapid antigen tests were distributed – with some being done online in front of a proctor, and others being done independently. Both give results in about 15 minutes.
The proctored tests have one kit per box, and should not be opened until online with a medical proctor. The unproctored tests have two kits per box.
The tests, Robison said, are known for false negative results – so people who test negative but feel sick are encouraged to get a PCR test from their physician.
In order to get a more accurate reading of local COVID cases, the health department is working on developing a voluntary reporting tool for those doing home tests.
The new guidance with the Omicron variant is for people testing positive to follow isolation guidelines for five days and let people know who have been in close contact. After five days, people who feel good may leave isolation as long as they wear masks in public. People who still feel sick should continue to stay home.
Robison encouraged local residents to get vaccinated and get the booster shot.
“Having a booster is really important for complete protection,” he said.
The health department is working to gather consistent information about local residents being hospitalized or dying from COVID.
Data gathered in September showed that the majority of people testing positive for COVID in Wood County were unvaccinated.
The following information was presented:
- In August, approximately 80% of cases were in people who had not completed a COVID-19 vaccine series.
- 24 patients were hospitalized with COVID in Wood County, from June 1 to Aug. 31. Of those, 19 were unvaccinated with an age range of 15 to 83 years. Five were vaccinated with an age range of 49-88 years.
- The median age of people who tested positive for COVID from June 1 – Aug. 31 was 31 years old among unvaccinated, and 49 years old among vaccinated.
Also at Thursday’s meeting, Board of Health President Cathy Nelson noted that this was her last meeting as president – during a very rough period, she added.
“You’ve done a marvelous job during a very challenging time,” board member D.J. Mears said to Nelson.
“Hopefully we’ll have a healthier new year,” Nelson said.
Dr. Tom Milbrodt will serve as board president in 2022.
