Richland Public Health announced on Thursday that it has been notified of a positive test result for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) for a resident of Richland County. This is the first positive result for Richland County. Richland Public Health is working to identify any close contacts of this resident who would require testing or monitoring for symptoms of COVID-19.
Richland Public Health, along with area hospitals, healthcare providers and community partners have been actively preparing to respond to possible cases of COVID-19 in our community. More…
This past week, 1812Blockhouse created a new page to collect and share a variety of information about the coronavirus/COVID-19 virus, all from a local perspective.
Included are resource links to information from Richland Public Health, the Shelby City Health Department, the Ohio Department of Health, and The Ohio State University; posts from area media; and social media posts related to the virus. More…
Spring is around the corner, and what better time is there to do some check-ups on your health?
Richland Public Health will hold the following health screenings in the community for the month of March: More…
The Richland Public Health building was the site of a groundbreaking last November, helmed by Martin Tremmel, the Board of Health Commissioner at that time. (Tremmel has since retired.) The building renovation was being undertaken to improve access to services.
“As part of our continued commitment to enhance our property and service to the Richland County community, Richland Public Health is pleased to kick-off our building renovation efforts,” Mr. Tremmel said in November. “This $500,000 investment will begin with the front entrance of Richland Public Health to provide easily accessible and high quality customer service to our community members.” More…
In recognition of National Radon Action Month, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is encouraging Ohioans to test their homes for the radioactive gas and take steps to reduce risk if elevated levels are detected. Richland Public Health is helping to make that possible.
“Long-term exposure to high levels of radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer overall and the top cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers,” said ODH Director Amy Acton, MD, MPH. “Running this easy, inexpensive test is an important first step in protecting your family from a devastating disease that kills thousands of Ohioans each year.” More…
Featured, Ohio Department of Health, Public Health, Richland Public Health
The Ohio Department of Health has added two new fee categories for Private Water Systems; these categories became effective on January 1. Richland Public Health has scheduled a hearing to provide the public with an opportunity to ask questions or make comments on the new fees. Each new fee is $100.
Ohio’s private water systems program regulates wells, springs, rain water cisterns, hauled water storage tanks and ponds that provide potable water to fewer than 25 people per day and have fewer than 15 service connections. More…
Featured, Ohio Department of Health, Richland Public Health, Water
The Board of Health at Richland Public Health has named Sarah Goodwill Humphrey as the County’s next Health Commissioner. Humphrey is currently the Health Commissioner at the Ashland County Health Department; she has held this position since 2016.
“Ms. Humphrey brings a deep personal commitment to public health and a life-long passion for prevention and community well-being,” said Richland Public Health Board Member Ary van Harlingen, who chaired the search committee. “The Board looks forward to working with Sarah and is confident that her leadership, guidance, vision, and energy will assure a seamless transition as we continue our mission to improve the health our Richland County communities.” More…
It’s not too late to vaccinate!
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) in 2005 to highlight the importance of continuing flu vaccination through the holiday season and beyond. Previous flu vaccination coverage data have shown that few people get vaccinated against influenza after the end of November. The CDC and its partners choose December for NIVW to remind people that even though the holiday season has begun, it is not too late to get a flu vaccine. More…
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) has announced 150 new grants for its Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program.
Richland Public Health will receive $125,000 per year, up to 10 years, in DFC grant funds.
The DFC Program provides grants to community coalitions to strengthen the infrastructure among local partners to create and sustain a reduction in local youth substance use. Recognizing that local problems need local solutions, DFC-funded coalitions engage multiple sectors of the community and employ a variety of environmental strategies to address local substance use problems. More…
It’s “Bat Week” in Ohio. Seriously, it is.
Bats are important to both Ohio’s economy and ecosystems, which is why Governor Mike DeWine has proclaimed October 24-31 as Bat Week to highlight the need for bat conservation.
“Bats contribute substantially to our economy by protecting our forests and agriculture from crop-damaging insects and pests,” said Mary Mertz, director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). “It is critical that we continue efforts to promote the health of bat populations here in Ohio and across the nation.” More…
Ohio’s new “Tobacco 21” law took effect this week, raising the age to purchase cigarettes, other tobacco products and alternative nicotine products such as e-cigarettes and vaping products from 18 to 21.
It is now also illegal to give such products to others under the age of 21. More…
Public Health, Richalnd Public Health, Richland Public Health
With the arrival of flu season, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is recommending that all Ohioans six months and older get a flu shot now. Flu activity usually begins to increase in October and can last as late as May, with cases typically peaking between December and February.
Every season the flu sickens millions of Americans, hospitalizes hundreds of thousands, and kills tens of thousands, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). During last year’s flu season, Ohio reported 9,851 flu-associated hospitalizations and four flu-associated pediatric deaths. More…
Ohio Department of Health, Public Health, Richland Public Health
Richland Public Health’s annual “Fall Hike for Health” is Saturday, October 19, at Malabar Farm State Park and Gorman Nature Center in Mansfield. The fall hikes are in their 19th year at Malabar Farm State Park and 5th year at Gorman Nature Center.
Enjoy the beauty of Ohio’s fall colors at both locations with hikes through the woods from 9 AM to 12 PM. Hikes are self-guided with suggested start times by 11 AM. More…
National Preparedness Month (NPM) is recognized each September to promote family and community disaster and emergency planning now and throughout the year. It’s an opportunity to remind us that we all must prepare ourselves and our families for when an emergency happens. This year’s NPM will focus on that planning, with an overarching theme: Prepared, Not Scared.
Locally, Richland Public Health is ready with resources to help. More…
