Wood County Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Operation Center’s Situation Report on COVID-19 Response for May 20
Ohio Confirmed Cases: 27,517
Ohio Probable Cases: 1,919
Ohio Total Confirmed plus Probable: 29,436
Ohio Hospitalizations: 5,198
ICU Admissions: 1,369
Ohio Confirmed COVID Deaths: 1,603
Ohio Probable COVID Deaths: 178
Wood County Cases (total plus probable): 255
Wood County Hospitalizations: 63
Wood County Long Term Care Cases: 188
Wood County Deaths: 43
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- County PPE needs were assessed after all 88 County EMAs provided forecast type and size to help focus future allotments. A second allotment is scheduled for delivery on May 20. Additional warehouse space is being sought as in-use locations are near capacity.
Up to two and a half additional inches of rain were received by Southwest Ohio. Multiple evacuations due to high water were handled locally without the need for State EOC support. Interstates in Franklin County are currently closed due to inundation. Multiple U.S. and state routes are closed across the state as water begins to recede.
Thank you to Jan Stein for the donation of homemade masks today.
People are asked to 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. Recently, disinformation campaigns through social media have produced conspiracy theories linking the expansion of 5G cellular networks to the spread of COVID-19. The theories claim the new 5G technology weakens the immune system leading to rapid spread of the virus. The disinformation campaigns are generated by violent extremists who encourage attacks on the network infrastructure. These theories have created the desire to damage or destroy the communications infrastructure leading to physical attacks on cell towers, even if the tower was not equipped with 5G capabilities. Additionally, a text had been circulated earlier in April saying that the National Guard was going to impose a nationwide lockdown. Homeland Security was unable to locate/share the exact origin of the text but mentioned that Chinese agents assisted to circulate it on multiple platforms.
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 securing access to 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/
Public Health:
There are 27,517 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ohio. There are 255 cases (total confirmed plus probable) presently in Wood County, 63 of those hospitalized, 188 in long term care, 43 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 .
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:
Happy National EMS week.
Wood County Health Department is implementing 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 Fair:
Starting Friday, May 22 the Fairgrounds will have fair food available on the grounds.
BGSU:
Now publishing a situation report once/week.
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.
Schools:
Eastwood School’s “Thank You to the Community” Parade will begin on Tuesday, May 26, at 5:30 p.m. Eastwood School staff members will be parading through the Eastwood communities to say, “Thank You for all your support during this unprecedented time.” Families are encouraged to gather outside on the porch, yard, or open community space along the parade route, to see the Eastwood staff for an end of school year celebration. Everyone is reminded to maintain social distancing for the safety of all families.
Local:
Due to health and safety concerns, the Bowling Green City Pool and Waterpark will remain closed this summer. This was a difficult decision and one that was not made lightly.
WIC office is open daily in Bowling Green and will be continuing curbside service through the month of June. Infants and children do not need to be present. Call us from your car and we will assist you to get certified for benefits or load your current benefits onto your WIC card. You don’t need to leave your car. For more information call us at 419-354-9661.
BGSU and Food for Thought Mobile Pantry Thursday, May 28, from 2-4 p.m., 1526 E. Wooster St., Bowling Green (First United Methodist parking lot). While the pantry cannot serve food on campus and is not accepting volunteers right now, we want to continue to serve anyone in need by holding a drive-thru mobile food pantry. The Center for Public Impact, along with community partners Food for Thought of Toledo, United Way Wood County, First United Methodist, and the BGSU Student Nutrition Association have co-sponsored this mobile pantry. Despite being a drive-thru pantry, if a car is not accessible to you, you can still walk through the pantry, we will just maintain appropriate social distance from you in addition to the other safety precautions we will already be taking.
Since they had to cancel our Red Cross Blood Drives at Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities, the Red Cross wanted me to reach out to everyone and make you aware of locations in our community that are available for donations. The dates are in the same window for donations if you were signed up for a drive here at WCBDD. To schedule an appointment at one of these sites please visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: GOODSHEPHERD or call 1-800-Red-Cross, (733-2767). The drives are as follows:
- Tuesday, June 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., BGSU – Perry Field House (free parking) To schedule an appointment visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor code BGSU or call 1-800- Red Cross.
- Saturday, June 13, 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Church of the Good Shepherd, 5589 Holcomb Road, Wayne.
Weather:
We have received information from the National Weather Service Cleveland the Portage River will be at “Major Flood Stage” in Pemberville. The Portage River is anticipated to crest after midnight tonight at 13.9 feet, with water levels expected to be high enough to enter some residences. If the predictions hold true, we have not seen this level since 2013 when it was 14.13 feet. The Wood County EMA will continue to monitor the situation as it progresses. Feel free to contact our office should you need anything. We would appreciate any pictures and information regarding this flooding event you can provide.
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
