County Emergency Operations Center issues situation report

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Posted By: David Dupont March 20, 2020

Wood County Emergency Operations Center Situation Report

COVID-19 Response

March 20, 2020

County EOC Status: Virtually Activated

State EOC: Partially Activated

This report communicates County EOC activity over the past 24 hours

Dissemination: Daily at 4 p.m.

Information Cutoff Time: 2 p.m.

Executive Summary:

Governor DeWine said he wants to appeal to all of our judges to heed the words of the Chief Justice, to do everything you possibly can to avoid gathering of people at the courthouse. An executive order has been signed to be put in effect close of business Monday: Senior Centers to close. Other services can still be provided to these seniors, including transportation and meal delivery.  Senior daycare centers also to close Monday at close of business. The Governor addressed actions other states have taken: and he stressed that we continue to work to find the right balance. He thanked businesses who have done the best they can to adhere to all health and safety precautions. He is also aware that there are businesses that are not complying. “This simply must stop, I implore you, please do what is right…The protection of life is the most important obligation that I have.”

According to Lt. Governor Husted, there has been an order issued to allow employers to take care of employees with a grace period for insurance premiums. Employers can defer their premium payments for health insurance for up to 2 months.

Dr. Amy Acton emphasized use of the ODH lab when able.  They are turning around tests in 24 hours. When tests are being sent out to third party labs, they are not coming back timely. 

“We will get through this. The sun will shine again. The spring will come again.”

-Governor Mike DeWine

Ohio Cases: 169

Ohio Hospitalizations: 39

Ohio Deaths: 1 (Lucas County)

Wood County Cases: 0

Wood County Hospitalizations: 0

Wood County Deaths: 0

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.

EMA Actions Taken/Planned Actions: 

  • An abbreviated version of this report can be found daily at: http://woodcountyema.org/covid-19/. 
  • We are actively engaged in procuring PPE for first responders and healthcare.  
    • Monitoring situation reports from neighboring counties. In ready state to increase the level of activation for our EOC. 
    • Personal Protective Supplies continue to be in high demand.  Ohio EMA is asking we look for non-traditional resources such as business that may be closed.  These may include: Veterinarians, massage parlor, acupuncture, food services, schools, churches, etc.  If sending us a request, please let us know where all you have looked for your needed supplies.  Please encourage any person or business that has supplies to donate them to protect those who are helping us. 
  • It is the goal of the EMA to provide the most up-to-date information, how it may impact Wood County residents, communities, businesses and visitors. If anyone has something to contribute please see the administrative information section at the bottom of the report to see how to contact us. 

Public Health:

  • There are 169 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ohio. 28 counties have been affected. No confirmed positive cases presently in Wood County. 
  • Employers should not require a health care provider’s note or a COVID-19 test before employees return to work. Testing capability is limited, and medical facilities may be extremely busy and unable to provide documentation. An employee with mild symptoms may not need medical care or testing.
  • Additionally, testing employees who do not have symptoms is not effective, wastes time and valuable resources, and is not an approved use of test kits. If you have an employee who has been seen by a health care provider and told to stay home for a period of time, we recommend you follow the health care provider’s directions.
  • This is a list that includes products that meet EPA’s criteria for use against COVID-19: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2?fbclid=IwAR3jIbldKTDwAr3eBco1V1vCfgafcSJb15SzyTt7aOoHUsrQ4qWxQx0KRcs

Healthcare: 

  • Ohio Department of Health confirmed that cases and hospitalizations are continuing to trend upward.  At present, 33 of the 119 confirmed cases are currently hospitalized in the state.   
  • Wood County Hospital: They are taking extensive precautions to protect our staff. This includes additional protective equipment, limiting hospital visitors, checking the temperature of anyone entering the hospital for a fever, masking any patient with a cough/fever and increased cleaning and sanitation.

Wood County Committee on Aging: 

  • Follow their Facebook page for fitness tips, recipes, and more. 

Skilled Nursing Facilities:

  • Please call or visit the website/Facebook of your loved one’s facility to check on their policies, needs, and programs. They are doing a lot with Facetime, email, etc. 
  • There are several presumptive positive cases localized to a nursing home in Miami County, Ohio.  This is the first cluster noted in Ohio. 

EMS:

  • The EMA and health department have been working with local EMS to try to provide the much needed PPE. Current guidance from the state is centered around conservation and local procurement. Sharing with your neighbors is being strongly encouraged by the state as a form of mutual aid. Many requests have been submitted and addressed.  If you have a need, please put in a formal request in writing to: woodcountyema@co.wood.oh.us.  

Wood County Humane Society: 

  • Effective March 17, 2020 through April 7, 2020 the Wood County Humane Society will be closed. The dates are subject to change as new information becomes available

Wood County Parks District:

  • Playgrounds are closed

BGSU:

  • Spring Commencement is being postponed

Schools:

Mental Health/Physical Health:

  • The Cocoon: Cocoon is asking that anyone who is able to consider donating new TracFones and TracFone airtime cards. TracFones can help a survivor whose personal cell or social media is monitored by their abuser reach out as needed. Call 419-373-1730, ext. 1002 if you are able to help to arrange a drop off. Our services remain available and our 24/7 crisis line can be reached by calling 419-373-1730 and selecting option #2

Utilities:

  • Wood County EMA has been engaged with various local utility providers.  While many of their office staff are telecommuting, response staff are ready to respond if needed.  Additionally, their Continuity of Operation Plans (COOP) are being reviewed. 

Business and other: 

  • Tax day has been moved from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020. 
  • Small business can apply to low interest loans through the SBA
  • Federal Trade Commission advises there have been several Coronavirus-related scams: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/coronavirus-scams-what-ftc-doing?fbclid=IwAR0IMswzBzOFB3JzZa2fqQnzXYT654pOfO1lojLdpxXdPbZj8k-n6k6Zdz0
  • Starting Monday, March 23rd the North Baltimore Public Library will offer curbside service for patrons with North Baltimore Library cards. Patrons can go online, call, fax or email requests for books, movies, etc. During designated pickup time you can come to the library’s main entrance and we will set your items out for you to pick-up. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the library at 419-257-3621, we remain closed to the public but the staff is available.

Weather: 

  • No significant weather events the next 3 days.  Temperatures this weekend will be around 40 degrees with no precipitation expected until Sunday evening.  With the colder nighttime temperatures there is a 40% chance of precipitation which could be snow.  However with the high Monday of 50 degrees, any snow will not be an issue

Legislature: 

  • Trump states at this time he is not considering a nationwide lockdown. 

Ohio Fire Marshal:

  • Ohio Fire Academy Reynoldsburg Campus has determined to close their offices and live training to the public. 

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. Thank you. 

ODH Call line: 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634)

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Posted by: David Dupont on March 20, 2020.
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