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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By 1812Blockhouse
The Ohio Department of Health has taken on the relatively new monkeypox health situation with information and resources.
This Department’s efforts include a new “Monkeypox Dashboard” which would likely give visitors a sense of deja vu from the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a set of accompanying FAQs, the Department shared, “Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with a virus. We’ve known monkeypox can cause disease in people since 1970. Before 2022, monkeypox was mostly seen in parts of central and west Africa. During 2022, monkeypox was reported in places where it is not usually found. This includes countries around the world, including the U.S. and here in Ohio.”
Other answered questions include matters of transmission, symptoms, treatments, pets, available vaccines, and more. The FAQ page can be accessed here.
More…Featured, Monkeypox, Ohio Department of Health, Public Health
Special to 1812Blockhouse
While primarily oriented toward Main Campus, many of the back-to-school reminders and notices shared with faculty and students this week apply to all student and campuses of Ohio’s flagship state university, including The Ohio State University at Mansfield.
The start of the 2022-23 academic year is just days away. Whether you are a returning Buckeye or new to our campuses, Ohio State is your community – one dedicated to creating positive impacts in the world through teaching, learning, research and service.
You will receive a number of communications from the university in the coming days and weeks with more details about these and other items. Below are a few important updates and reminders to help ensure a successful start to the semester, including:
Please take a moment to review the information below. As a reminder, the first day of classes is Tuesday, August 23. Other important dates are available on the academic calendar.
More…Featured, OSU Mansfield, Public Health, The Ohio State University
By 1812Blockhouse
The Water Treatment Plant for the City of Mansfield has shared an overview of operations during 2021, providing citizens with answers and information about how their drinking water is purified, distributed, and monitored.
The Water Quality Report emphasizes that Mansfield’s drinking water met all applicable quality standards during that period. It then sets out to answer a set of basic questions concerning the system and the water it produces.
Many Mansfielders may be unaware that water in the system is obtained from two sources – surface water from Clearfork Reservoir, and well water from ten municipal wells. The water from those places is combined in almost equal quantities to create the source that is then purified and sent out.
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Special to 1812Blockhouse
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife has confirmed nine additional wild white-tailed deer tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in northern Marion and southern Wyandot counties. Five were bucks, and four were does. Testing was performed on hunter-harvested deer during the 2021-22 season, as well as through a planned operation in February and March to obtain additional samples.
Since the fall of 2020, 11 wild deer have tested positive for CWD, all in Wyandot and Marion counties. Nine were confirmed in Wyandot County, and two were confirmed in Marion County. CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer and other similar species, including mule deer, elk, and moose. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no strong evidence that CWD is transmissible to humans.
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Special to 1812Blockhouse
With the start of summer term, The Ohio State University is updating its COVID-19 protocols based on the state of the pandemic and federal, state and local guidance.
While the university continues to require that all students, faculty and staff be vaccinated against COVID-19, Ohio State will be shifting to a voluntary testing program for the summer starting on Monday, May 9. Masks remain optional in most indoor spaces.
The university’s COVID-19 response is always subject to change. Throughout the pandemic, Ohio State has followed guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Ohio Department of Health as well as federal, state and local policy.
The Safe and Healthy Buckeyes website is regularly updated to reflect current guidance.
More…Featured, Public Health, Student Health, The Ohio State University
Special to 1812Blockhouse
Per CDC guidelines and recommendations, the Renaissance Theatre is lifting its mask requirement for audiences attending performances in its venues, effective April 1.
Patrons are welcome to wear masks at any performance in Renaissance Theatre’s venues. Health and safety policies will continue to be regularly evaluated and adjusted based on community health data, and public health and government guidance. To learn more about our additional health and safety procedures, visit rentickets.org/safety.
“Safety is a critical component of our business. Throughout the pandemic, we’ve taken every step possible to ensure the well-being of our patrons, following industry standards and health recommendations closely,” said Renaissance President Chelsie Thompson.
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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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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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