By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in long-term care facilities in Wood County have more than doubled in the past week.
According to the updated numbers from the Wood County Health Department, there are 118 confirmed cases in local nursing homes, compared to 57 recorded last week. Of those 118 cases, 92 are residents and 26 are staff.
The overall number of confirmed and probable cases in Wood County, as of today, was 157. The age range is 1 to 98, with the median age being 71.
Five Wood County long-term care facilities now have cases of COVID-19 among residents or staff. All are in the Perrysburg area.
The following facilities have cases:
- SKLD Perrysburg: 45 residents, 2 staff.
- Kingston Residence of Perrysburg: 28 residents, 13 staff.
- Kingston Rehabilitation of Perrysburg: 1 resident, 0 staff.
- The Manor at Perrysburg: 15 residents, 5 staff.
- Otterbein Perrysburg: 3 residents, 6 staff.
The numbers posted on the Ohio Department of Health listing for long-term care facility cases are lower, because those numbers only go back as far as April 15. Wood County Health Department’s numbers go back as far as the first tests conducted in the facilities, according to Alex Aspacher, outreach coordinator for the local health department.
The ODH listing attributes 15 deaths in Wood County nursing homes to COVID-19.
The increase in positive COVID-19 cases was expected, since the Wood County Health Department has directed its testing efforts to the facilities, Aspacher said.
“It was our decision to funnel those locally to some of those facilities,” Aspacher said Wednesday afternoon.
The county is still short on testing kits, but Wood County Health Commissioner Ben Batey said last week that identifying cases in nursing homes was a priority.
“We want to make sure we stop that spread as soon as possible,” Batey said of cases among vulnerable older populations.
Batey said last week that 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.
Earlier this month, 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.
It was reported nearly two weeks ago 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.
