Wood County Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Operation Center’s Situation Report on COVID-19 Response
This May 5 report communicates Wood County Emergency Operations Center’s activity over the past 24 hours.
Executive Summary:
Gov. Mike DeWine – Budget: this disease has had a profound impact on the Ohio economy. Prior to this, the economy was strong and the budget was on track. We now have the figures in for April, fiscal year to date revenues have taken a dramatic turn the wrong way. We need to make significant changes to the budget to prepare for the upcoming months. We have a two-year budget cycle in Ohio.
Today, the governor is announcing a $775 million budget reduction in revenue spending for the remainder of 2020. The cuts must be made in the next two months. He decided to not draw down the money from the rainy day fund for the next two months, rather he decided to make cuts to allow to balance the budget.
We are going to need the rainy day find money for next year and possibly the year after, DeWine said. He is trying to preserve basic services for people and is trying to achieve some stability. Cuts to be made in the next two months: Reduce Medicaid spending, k-12 payment reduction, other education line items, and more.
Here’s a breakdown of where those cuts will be made in Ohio:
• Medicaid: $210 million
• K-12 Foundation Payment Reduction: $300 million
• Other Education Budget Line Items: $55 million
• Higher Education: $110 million
• All Other Agencies: $100 million
Any cut to education is difficult, we have an obligation to do our best to balance these cuts and protect the most vulnerable of our students and we intend to do that. No one can predict where the economy is going, but we need to try to ensure stability and predictability as much as possible to the schools.
State agencies: On March 23 a hiring freeze went into effect, that continues, freeze on pay increases continues, and more. Each agency director has been asked to identify cuts they can make. The travel freeze is still in effect except for those providing direct services to those impacted by COVID-19. The budget director will be available to the press corps tomorrow for questions. There will be no cuts to prisons because their budget is made up of people primarily. The virus has made the staffing issues in those facilities more difficult. Prisons are likely paying additional overtime at this time. It is difficult to find the money in the prisons. Part of the CARES Act money goes to schools and this should help them a bit. The money will be pulled down by the schools over the next year or so. Poorer schools will get more assistance, every school gets something from the CARES Act.
Lt. Gov. Jon Husted – It is prudent to plan for the long haul. We need to provide as much stability as possible. This is a health crisis that has created an economic crisis. We have to get the economy moving so people can pay their bills. This will all depend on how we pull together.
Dr. Amy Acton – 160,000 Ohioans tested (1-1.5% of our population). We are up in hospitalizations a little bit for the day. Acton reminded Ohioans that mental health is just as important as physical health, and that help with trained crisis helpers is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can call 1-800-720-9616 or text “4hope” to 741741 . She encourages anyone struggling to make sure they reach out for help.
We are all learning about this at the same time. The science is there to assist us to make better decisions. As we open up, we need to learn to live with the virus, control the outbreaks, and minimize the infections spread through the community. Businesses need to be careful about antibody testing being marketed to them that may not have been really studied.
Ohio Confirmed Cases: 20,072
Ohio Probable Cases: 897
Ohio Total Confirmed plus Probable: 20,969
Ohio Hospitalizations: 3,956
ICU Admissions: 1,123
Ohio Confirmed COVID Deaths: 1,038
Ohio Probable COVID Deaths: 97
Wood County Cases (total plus probable): 203
Wood County Hospitalizations: 54
Wood County Long Term Care Cases: 118
Wood County Deaths: 27
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:
An abbreviated version of this report can be found at: http://woodcountyema.org/covid-19/ .
Also, please contact us if:
– You or your agency has the capability and willingness to conduct N95 fit testing as needs arise within the county
– 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 .
EMA and public health have been working with areas of concern and identified “hotspots” in the county to ensure their PPE supply is adequate to meet the needs of the situation. We continue to accept, inventory, and fulfill PPE resource requests. We are expecting two more shipments of PPE this week.
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/
Public Health:
There are confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ohio. There are 20072 cases (total confirmed plus probable) presently in Wood County, 54 of those hospitalized, 118 in long term care, and 27 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 close 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 .
Law Enforcement/Fire/EMS:
Law enforcement grant funding available. Ocjs.ohio.gov for more information
Many PPE 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 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
For the past 15 months, the Wood County First Responder Support Team has been reaching out to those who need help dealing with the stress, whether it’s directly related to incidents on the job or life issues with family, marriage, kids. The support team offers first responders a chance to talk one on one, with full confidentiality, to a peer – someone who knows the drill. These volunteers have been trained through the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police.
Wood County Parks District
The Park Board of Commissioners will have their scheduled Board of Park Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, May 12, at 4 p.m. The meeting will be a live-streamed and recorded video conference. Ways to access the meeting: Park District website www.wcparks.org/whats-new/ , direct link: https://stream.meet.google.com/stream/2957f0a9-8966-4107-8424-b852f1bef7e4 , the Wood County Park District Facebook page, and after the meeting has concluded, the “wcparks’ YouTube channel. Ways to provide public comment: the Facebook Page, and by calling Director Neil Munger’s phone: (419) 601-1653.
Wood County Park District parks and preserves are open daily from 8 a.m. until 30 minutes past sunset. Restrooms are open. Wearing masks inside the restroom is strongly encouraged. Through June 22, playgrounds and facilities are closed, programs and events are canceled, and Park District Headquarters’ offices are closed to the public. Park District employees are working to provide safe natural spaces and self-guided experiences for the public to enjoy.
BGSU:
Publishing a situation report twice/week.
Drs. Peggy Giordano, Monica Longmore and Wendy Manning will conduct research on social distancing and what factors might influence individual’s levels of compliance as they grapple with recommendations to stay at least six feet away from others and to avoid gathering in groups. The sociology faculty members recently received a nod from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for a one-year, $200,000 Rapid Response Research grant to research how people are complying with the pandemic guidelines.
BGSU is planning to reduce the domestic, non-resident surcharge to $1 per credit hour for out-of- state students who have completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Ohio from an Ohio institution and who enroll in a degree-seeking graduate program for the 2020-2021 academic school year, starting with fall 2020.
BGSU Athletics is partnering with Campus Pollyeyes, Sam B’s, and Jimmy John’s to feed local hospital, nursing home, law enforcement, and grocery store 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:
The Ohio Air National Guard’s 180th Fighter Wing is scheduled to conduct a series of flybys across the state of Ohio as a salute to the heroes at the forefront in the fight against COVID-19, and to lift the spirits and morale of our fellow Ohioans. The 180th Fighter Wing is honored to extend our salute to Ohio healthcare workers, first responders, military members and other essential personnel, as a small thank you for helping to keep Ohioans safe.
The 180FW will kick off the salute, beginning Wednesday, May 6, in the Northwest Ohio area. The flyby is scheduled for the Bowling Green area on Thursday, between 1:45 and 2:05 p.m.
The City of Bowling Green will receive an additional distribution of funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, amounting to $182,000. Mayor Mike Aspacher made the announcement at Monday’s council meeting. He said the city has yet to receive the funds and does not yet know when they will be disbursed
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.
This week is Teacher Appreciation Week. Ohio’s teachers have always been wonderful, but they have truly gone above and beyond during the COVID19 crisis. Nurses week begins May 6-12.
Perrysburg City Council will be meeting on Tuesday, May 5, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public at the Municipal Building, 201 West Indiana Avenue. In an effort to promote social distancing, the meeting will be simultaneously accessible through a teleconference call in number. The City Council meeting can be listened to by dialing 866-866-2244, and then entering the Participant Code 8428504#.
Due to the constraints of the teleconference system, the system will allow the public to listen to the meeting, but cannot accommodate audience participation. Any individuals who have questions or concerns that they would like addressed by the City Council but do not wish to appear at the Municipal Building are urged to submit their questions in advance of the meeting to msutton@ci.perrysburg.oh.us .
The Village of Walbridge will be using the Webex for the Village of Walbridge Council meeting on May 6. The meeting will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. If interested, use the information below to join: Join by phone 1-408-418-9388 United States Toll Access code: 624 736 354
The Bowling Green Farmers Market will open for the season on May 13. Hours are 4-7 p.m. It is located downtown in the Huntington Bank parking lot in the 200 block of South Main Street. The farmers market will be dedicating the first hour weekly from 4-5 p.m. for vulnerable shoppers. Vulnerable shoppers include the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. The Ohio Department of Agriculture has released the stipulations for the 2020 season of the farmers markets, according to the Bowling Green group’s Facebook page.
COVID testing will occur at Bowling Green State University at the Perry Field House located at 801 N Mercer Rd. Testing will be held Wednesday, May 6, and Thursday, May 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ohioans can register at: http://krogerhealth.com/covidtesting . People needing a test will use a virtual screening tool based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to see if they are eligible. Those who are eligible for the testing include CDC Priority 1, 2 and 3. Criteria for testing include persons with COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) who: are healthcare workers, are first responders (EMS, fire, law enforcement), are 65 years of age or older, are critical infrastructure workers with symptoms, have a chronic health condition (heart disease, lung disease or an immune-system-lowering condition, such as diabetes) Experience mild symptoms and live in communities with high numbers of COVID-19 hospitalizations Those eligible will next select the appropriate testing location and appointment time. Then, registrants will receive an email confirmation with pre- appointment paperwork. When the patient arrives for a test, they should have a photo ID ready and leave their windows rolled up for check-in. A healthcare practitioner will approach the car and alert the patient when to roll down their window. The drive-thru testing location has a self- administered nasal swab that must be ordered and observed by a provider. Kroger determined this testing methodology is beneficial as it increases the number of tests that can be provided while conserving the personal protective equipment utilized. Test results are expected within approximately 48 hours. The Columbus testing site will handle approximately 330 tests per day
Staff from Eastwood and Lake school districts are planning parades this week. Lake’s parade will be Wednesday from 6:30-8 p.m. on the campus, off Ohio 795, in Millbury. The parade will celebrate staff. To participate, enter the campus from the high school driveway and follow the marked route, which will exit from the elementary lot. Eastwood will hold a staff appreciation parade on Wednesday from 6:30-7 p.m. on campus. Cars will enter the campus via the Bus loop in front of Eastwood Elementary on Sugar Ridge Road and wind through and exit out on Luckey Road by the high school. Students are invited to wave and say hello to a favorite teacher or bus driver.
United Way of Greater Toledo is providing safe and socially distant volunteer opportunities, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to drastically impact health and human services across Lucas, Wood and Ottawa counties. For individuals who would like to volunteer, visit www.211nwo.org . There, you will see two content rows, one noting “Volunteer Opportunities” and the other “Agencies in Need of Volunteers.” By clicking on “Volunteer Opportunities,” you will be able to add your contact information to a volunteer email list, which allows you to hear about new or updated volunteer happenings first. You can view and sign up for open opportunities today when selecting “sign up to volunteer now.”
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
