Wood County Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Operation Center’s Situation Report on COVID-19 Response for June 18.
Executive Summary:
Gov. Mike DeWine – Numbers are seeing a downward trend overall statewide with the exception of Southwest Ohio. The trends in these certain counties are worrisome. Montgomery County – cases rising. We expect these to go up. Mobility – people are moving around there more than they were. Driving levels are higher than pre-COVID levels. This could be related to the nice weather.
They are seeing workplace hotspots in addition to the community spread and nursing home outbreaks. Greene County – trend line is going up rather dramatically. Clark County – seeing spikes there. Hotspot at the Dole plant which was discussed yesterday. Also an outbreak in a nursing home that had 37 total cases. Warren – numbers rising. We are sharing this with the counties to make sure they know. Hamilton- cases moving upwards. This is a concern.
Plans – none of this should come as a real shock, we are going to see hotspots and increased cases in different times and places in the state. The action we are taking for SW Ohio is to see us move in more heavily with the National Guard for testing in more sites, work closely with the hospitals of the region, if you live in these areas you will see more information about testing. If you live in one of these affected zip codes we would strongly encourage you to get a test. Testing locations will be listed on the coronavirus.ohio.gov website and through the news media.
Hospital readiness – it is important to build up PPE supplies. PPE readiness stockpile will be stored at local hospitals to be ready to assist long term care if they find that they have a need.
Dr. Amy Edwards Pediatric infectious disease MD – Children and COVID. Vast majority do very well, and have an asymptomatic presentation disease. Recently, we have been seeing an increase in the amount of kids testing positive for COVID. For kids with symptoms of respiratory disease, a larger percentage of them are related to COVID. This has been a steady increase and has not stopped increasing as of yet. We have seen a slight uptick in hospital admissions for children with COVID. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome has also been seen- keep an eye out for this. Symptoms are high fever, GI symptoms, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and red eyes.
Lt. Gov. Jon Husted – as people are heading back to work ODJFS stats show that for the 7th straight week, weekly claims for continued unemployment benefits have declined. We are transitioning from the job listing page on coronavirus.ohio.com to ohiomeansjobs.com for available job opportunities. The jobs are still live on the coronavirus site for 14 more days. New announcement- contact practice for all sports will be open to resume scrimmage and full training as long as the safety protocols are observed starting June 22.
Ohio Confirmed Cases: 39,973
Ohio Probable Cases: 3,149
Ohio Total Confirmed plus Probable: 43,122
Ohio Hospitalizations: 7,104
ICU Admissions: 1,807
Ohio Confirmed COVID Deaths: 2,401
Ohio Probable COVID Deaths: 232
*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): 331
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 412 (42,422) total new cases, 44 (7,051) hospitalizations, 13 (1,797) ICU Admissions, and 14 (2,611) deaths metrics were below their respective 21-day averages. Current models show current medical capacity capable of handling COVID-19 caused stressors.
• Check out the Ohio School Safety Center’s latest newsletter. Info includes: K-12 Suicide Prevention Training, Annual Emergency Management Plan Certification, Best Practices and more. https://bit.ly/37fzEm5
• Lightning Safety Awareness Week Starts Sunday. 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. Contact us if you have PPE to donate, if you have any PPE needs or have any questions, and 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 39,973 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ohio. There are 331 cases (total confirmed plus probable) presently in Wood County, 67 of those are or have been hospitalized, 201 in long term care, 51 deaths.
• 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 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.
Wood County Committee on Aging:
• Still producing home delivered meals. These are for those 60 years and older that are Wood County residents so long as the senior centers are closed. These are delivered M-F, 1 hot meal/day. There are additional options for frozen meals.
• Well calls are still being done to check on individuals at home
• Medical transportation is still available
BGSU:
• Now publishing a situation report once/week.
• This summer, two University-wide planning groups have been working to address our student academic and non-academic experiences along with our safety and campus operations to prepare for in-person teaching and learning to resume this fall. Bowling Green State University continues to work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and regional and local health care partners to comply with directives and guidelines to safeguard our students, faculty, staff and visitors and reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 on our campuses. While we plan to share more details this month and throughout the summer, we have made the decision to adjust the 2020-2021 academic calendar in the best health and safety interests of our community and in our responsibility to promote public health. 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, and will be conducted remotely. Final exam week will be Dec. 7-11, 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. We are planning for the spring semester to be in-person. While there are changes to the academic calendar, previously announced University holidays will continue to be observed.
Wood County Fair:
• Rabbit and Rabbit Showmanship Entries have been re-opened and will remain open until Friday June 19 at midnight. Please make sure to get your entries made before the deadline. More details on ID day regarding time and any social distancing protocols will follow as soon as we have clear guidance from the state regarding what is required of us at that point. If you have any questions please contact Miranda Lobdell, Junior Fair Coordinator, Wood County Fair at: woodcountyjrfair@gmail.com
Wood County JFS
• K-12 Fitted for Success Program: The agency is now accepting applications for the K-12 Fitted for Success program. 700 children who live in Wood County will be provided with backpacks filled with grade appropriate school supplies, new shoes and socks and winter clothing items which may include coats, hats and gloves. Assistance is provided on a first come/first serve basis. Proof of household income, birth certificates or other proof of citizenship and Social Security cards for all family members as well as verification of school enrollment for children must be provided. Families must have an income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level to qualify. For a family of 4, this is about $4,300 or less in gross income per month. The income amount varies based on family size. Applications should be received by Aug. 7, but will be accepted until 700 children are approved. Assistance will be distributed to approved families in August. Please complete the contact form to request an application. Applications will be sent to you by mail. You may also call 419-376-3488.
Local:
• National Tractor Pulling Championship: Decision was made to cancel this year’s tractor pulls. “In the wake of the wearisome coronavirus threat that continues to hang over us, the Board of Directors of the National Tractor Pulling Championships has decided to cancel the 54th consecutive Super National Event in Bowling Green, Ohio.”
• NIOT BG is hosting Community Conversations: Law Enforcement Policies and Practices, on Wednesday, June, 24, at 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.
• Cocoon: As we continue to carry out our mission, we have looked at all of the information, guidelines, mandates and health risks and have laid out the following plan effective May 31: Our doors will remain closed to visitors through July 31. As the mandate from the governor states to continue telework to every extent possible, those currently working remotely will continue to work remotely until at least July 31. All events through July 31 will be canceled. Previously stated mandates for cleaning, wearing masks in the building and during survivor transportations will remain in effect until further notice.
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/ .
