By Nick Evans, Ohio Capital Journal
Ohio health officials are urging caution again this winter. But entering our third holiday season with COVID-19, the nature of those warnings is a bit different.
As Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff explained, this year the threat is multiple respiratory viruses at once.
“Unlike the last two winters, it’s not just about COVID,” he said. “But the combination of COVID, influenza, and RSV, especially for those whose health is more vulnerable or who have not been adequately vaccinated against flu and COVID-19.”
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The Ohio State University, Special to 1812Blockhouse
The Ohio State University is adjusting some COVID-19 health and safety protocols for students, faculty, staff and visitors. The university continues to hold in-person classes and encourages employees and supervisors to work together to determine work arrangements, including when remote work is appropriate. The university’s established flexible work policy enables employees to work onsite or remotely with permission from their supervisor.
Senior Vice President for Student Life Melissa Shivers and Senior Vice President and Wolfe Foundation Endowed Athletics Director Gene Smith delivered the following message to students today (Jan. 31).
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By 1812Blockhouse
At the same time that the Ohio Department of Health is adjusting contract tracing requirements for Ohio schools, Richland County schools are still managing with many dozens of student and staff cases.
In making their move, the Department cited the way in which the Omicron variant has impacted the ongoing pandemic. Infections arrive and then leave more quickly, and symptoms tend to be less severe.
The variant’s unpredictable nature suggests that it is more practical to consider COVID existing almost everywhere, it said.
More…Coronavirus, Featured, Ohio Department of Health, Richland County Schools
Special to 1812Blockhouse
Ohio State University President Kristina M. Johnson has shared her first safety update of the new semester, in which she urges students to look at all available resources, on and off campus and for the main and regional campuses, including OSU Mansfield. She also encouraged students to obtain COVID-19 vaccine booster shots.
“We’ve communicated quite a bit in the recent weeks about our efforts to remain vigilant in protecting ourselves and others from COVID-19. With the Omicron variant surging in Ohio, we are encouraging all eligible students, faculty and staff to get their booster and sign up immediately,” Johnson said in a new video (see below).
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Special to 1812Blockhouse
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is announcing plans to prioritize the state’s supply of COVID-19 tests to first support testing for K-12 schools and colleges/universities. This comes as the state is experiencing a delay in shipment of more than 800,000 testing kits amid a nationwide shortage in COVID-19 testing supplies.
ODH has been making available both the proctored rapid Abbott BinaxNow at-home antigen tests and over-the-counter self-administered tests free to Ohioans at local health departments, public libraries, schools, and other locations. Ohio was one of the first states to prioritize widespread distribution of free rapid testing kits and has distributed about 5.6 million free testing kits – 1.4 million in December alone.
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Special to 1812Blockhouse
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced on Monday that the Ohio Department of Health, the Ohio National Guard, and the Ohio Hospital Association will expand COVID-19 testing locations in nine Ohio cities, including several new locations, starting this week. The additional testing locations will be mobilized with support from Ohio National Guard personnel. The locations, which are intended to divert testing traffic from hospital emergency rooms, come as the state is experiencing the highest number of COVID-19 hospitalizations during the pandemic. Today, the Ohio Hospital Association reported a record-setting 6,177 inpatient hospitalizations.
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By 1812Blockhouse
Sectors of the local economy powerfully impacted by the pandemic are about to get some relief.
From January 1 through January 31, businesses in the areas of food & beverage, entertainment venue, and lodging & tourism can apply for funding in a new Richland County COVID-19 Grant program.
Applications can be submitted for grants of $10,000, $20,000, or $30,000 depending on the impact of the pandemic on a given business. Grants will be given to those who qualify as long as funds remain.
More…Coronavirus, Featured, Grants, Richland Area Chamber and Economic Development
By 1812Blockhouse
It’s a cold and harsh fact that many north central Ohioans are testing positive for COVID-19 each day.
For many, this is not the first time that a family member or other co-resident has had a positive test. Most of us also know someone who has been diagnosed on more than one occasion.
Although we are nearing the two year anniversary of the arrival of the pandemic, it still makes sense to share reminders of precautions to take if that test is for you or someone in your home. To that end, Richland Public Health has reissued a set of guidelines on what to do in such circumstances.
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Special to 1812Blockhouse
Ohio State’s 92% vaccination rate against COVID-19 helped protect the university community during fall semester while resuming in-person traditions.
In advance of spring semester, the university is calling for another community-wide effort amid a nationwide surge of COVID-19 cases and emerging evidence about the new omicron variant, which is much more transmissible than previous strains of the virus.
Ohio State urges all students, faculty and staff to take action to ensure they have the strongest protection possible through vaccination. Anyone who is not fully vaccinated should do so, and all students, faculty and staff should receive a booster shot as soon as they are eligible.
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By 1812Blockhouse
This season has been an up and down one for COVID cases detected in and reported by Richland County school districts and buildings.
There’s some good news, however, in this last reporting date before some localities begin the winter break – after a week where reported cases quadrupled, this week they have fallen from a total of 251 to a total of 98.
The number of reporting locations also dropped this week, from 15 districts and buildings to 12.
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