Wood County Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Operation Center’s Situation Report on COVID-19 Response for May 15
Ohio Confirmed Cases: 25,349
Ohio Probable Cases: 1,605
Ohio Total Confirmed plus Probable: 26,954
Ohio Hospitalizations: 4,791
ICU Admissions: 1,277
Ohio Confirmed COVID Deaths: 1,431
Ohio Probable COVID Deaths: 150
Wood County Cases (total plus probable): 234
Wood County Hospitalizations: 60
Wood County Long Term Care Cases: 184
Wood County Deaths: 42
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- There are no ongoing significant impacts to critical infrastructure. Total confirmed cases, deaths, and hospitalizations continue to increase. Statewide bed and ventilator capacity are projected to meet 30-day medical forecast needs. Current models show statewide medical capacity capable of handling COVID-19 stressors. Efforts are continued to prevent hotspots, and additional PPE is being located as needed. Two PPE pushes have occurred this week.
Clinical Zone reporting shows a decrease of COVID patients on ventilators, but an increase in the acuity of non-COVID admissions. This increase is assessed to be associated with patients taking action on delayed treatments. Personal care services are re-opening today as a part of Ohio’s Responsible Restart Ohio plan. Cascading effects continue to be monitored and identified. There are no ongoing significant impacts to critical infrastructure. A statewide push of cotton masks will be conducted today. An additional PPE push has been approved for the week of May 17.
The federal government has given Ohio a shipment of Remdesivir, a drug that’s being used experimentally to treat COVID-19 patients. The shipment, which arrived Tuesday, included 20 cases of the drug — enough to treat 100 patients. The Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Hospital Association will work together in determining how the drug will be distributed.
Please vet all information being sent to you before sharing. Disinformation and misinformation are a real issue surrounding COVID-19. When you read something ask yourself – What is the source? Does it match other outlets? Are the sources reliable? Is the author credible? Does the content push your buttons? Recognize the risk, question the source, investigate the issue, think before you link, and talk to your circle. Disinformation can stop with you.
An abbreviated version of this report can be found at: http://woodcountyema.org/covid-19/ .
Also, please contact us if:
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.
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/
LEGISLATURE:
Senator McColley today introduced Senate Bill 311, legislation similar to what the House passed last week. The bill rescinds certain provisions of the Department of Health “Stay Safe Order” that continues certain business closures and asks Ohioans to remain at home.
CDC HEALTH ADVISORY:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is providing background information on several cases of a recently reported multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19, as well as a case definition for this syndrome. CDC recommends healthcare providers report any patient who meets the case definition to local, state, and territorial health departments to enhance knowledge of risk factors, pathogenesis, clinical course, and treatment of this syndrome. This information can be accessed here .
Public Health:
There are 25,349 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ohio. There are 234 cases (total confirmed plus probable) presently in Wood County, 60 of those hospitalized, 184 in long term care, 42 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 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 .
Happy National Hospital Week. Thank you to all of our healthcare heroes for your dedication.
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:
This week is National Police Week. This week we celebrate and thank all local, state, and federal peace officers, who put their life on the line, every day to protect our communities. It also pays tribute to those peace officers who have died, or who have been disabled, in the line of duty. Thank you to all police officers.
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
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.
Wood County Board of Elections:
Results remained the same, as the Wood County Board of Elections certified the results for the March 17 Primary Election at a Thursday meeting. After the unofficial vote tally was released on April 28, there were an additional 196 provisional ballots and 90 absentee ballots. The new total count is 19,174 votes cast, making a 21.06% turnout. There were no changes in the results for winning candidates or issues.
BGSU:
Now publishing a situation report once/week.
Bowling Green State University will host a live, virtual celebration for spring degree candidates May 16. The livestream will begin at 1:30 p.m. Students, family and friends can view the stream at BGSU.edu .
BGSU said its plan is to open in the fall, but the administration and leadership understands the need to be flexible and consider online and remote options. In addition to social distancing and health monitoring, BGSU dining facilities will change how they serve food and accommodate seating.
It is the final week of Meals for Hometown Heroes and BGSU Athletics is partnering with Jimmy John’s to feed Meijer, Walmart and Kroger 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:
Bowling Green Recycling Center reopened late Wednesday afternoon. Some containers are now outside to provide sufficient space inside the building. Recyclers are asked to practice social distancing and masks are recommended. Public access to the building is limited to the 24-hour drop off area. Emptying drop off containers may require blocking of the driveway for a few minutes to maintain distancing. If that occurs people are requested to wait in their cars for the five to 10 minutes it will take. This cannot be scheduled as volumes are unpredictable. Bulk cardboard commercial loads can still be delivered to the baler pit. Bulk delivery of commercial materials (shredded paper, restaurant steel cans, office paper, etc.) will require unloading outside into containers provided by BGRC at the southeast overhead door.
Owens Community College has made the decision to suspend fall and winter athletic practice and competition due to coronavirus, according to a statement by the college.
Wood County District Public Library Begins No Contact Curbside Pick-Up. Starting Monday, May 18, patrons of the Wood County District Public Library can pick up materials they have requested at both library locations. To use the service, patrons call 419-352-5050 to request items for pick-up in Bowling Green. To request items for pick-up at the Walbridge library, patrons call 419-666-9900. Hours for pick-up service in Bowling Green are 9-5 Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and 10-6 on Thursday and Friday. Hours for pick-up service at the Walbridge library are 9-1 Monday and Wednesday, and 2-6 on Tuesday and Thursday. Patrons can also place requests using the library’s catalog at https://wcdpl.org/ .
Grand Rapids: We are currently on schedule for the 44th Annual Grand Rapids Applebutter Festival to take place on Oct. 11th, in downtown Grand Rapids. We will continue to update our vendors and visitors with any changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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.
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
