By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Public health officials are watching carefully for any sporadic spikes in COVID-19 cases as businesses open up and social rules relax.
The nation has now surpassed 100,000 confirmed deaths from the virus. Meanwhile across the nation, the images of massive pool parties and stories of infected hair stylists or church pastors have public health officials on edge.
Wood County is no different.
“We’re in a waiting pattern,” watching the numbers, said Wood County Health Commissioner Ben Batey.
So far, the numbers are slowly ticking upward – just as they have been the last couple months.
As of today (Wednesday), there are 282 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19, and 45 deaths from the virus in the county.
“They are trickling in each day,” Batey said of the increased numbers.
“Obviously, the virus is still in the community,” he said. “We need to continue to be vigilant as things are opening up.”
Gradually, businesses like restaurants, retail shops, and gyms are being allowed to open in Ohio. “Those create more interaction, which brings more risk,” Batey said during the weekly conference call with county officials on Tuesday.
The Wood County Health Department will be watching for pockets of the virus, and use contact tracing to find initial local sources and those potentially infected.
Though more businesses have opened their doors in Ohio, Batey said it appears some people are hesitant to venture out to some locations.
“There doesn’t seem to be a rush in people wanting to dine in restaurants,” he said.
Batey predicted businesses, like restaurants, will continue to fine tune their efforts to accommodate customers safely.
Playgrounds and basketball courts continue to be on the closed list in Ohio. Those fall under “recreational activities” along with places like theaters and waterparks. Batey said with daycare businesses allowed to open on May 31, places like playgrounds will likely soon follow.
The Wood County Health Department has recently done more widespread testing in local long-term care facilities. The latest numbers of cases in senior facilities reached 198 – with 127 being residents and 71 staff. According to the Ohio Department of Health, at least 34 of Wood County’s 45 deaths from COVID-19 have occurred in long-term care facilities.
Wood County Emergency Management Agency Director Jeff Klein repeated his request that people not spread misinformation about the virus. Some of the more troubling rumors spread on social media show “goon squads” going out in EMA vehicles to look for people violating pandemic safety measures.
Other misinformation being spread continues to falsely state that COVID-19 is no worse than the common flu, Klein said.
“It is still a potential threat,” he said. “Just because the numbers are low, don’t think it’s going away.”
Ohio needs to experience four to six weeks of no spikes after opening up before public health officials can breathe a slight sigh of relief, Klein said.
Klein also reported to public officials that the Wood County EMA office is receiving a shipment of white cloth masks from the state. He plans to send out emails to communities to see where they are most needed.
Also during the weekly conference call, Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn said the jail population remains low, with 77 inmates. Prisons in Ohio are once again accepting inmates, he added.
Recommendations from the health department are being followed at the jail, and no deputies or inmates have tested positive for the virus, he said.
