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Ohio's health leader warns against complacency as COVID situation improves in Ohio

Man holds sample from wastewater treatment facility
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Shutterstock
State health officials say wastewater testing programs continue to help track the spread of COVID-19

Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff says masks and vaccinations are still important tools to fight COVID-19.

In the heart of the Omicron surge in January, Ohio experienced up to 20,000 new cases per day. Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff says Ohio is now averaging 2,800 cases per day and points out there have been some days with fewer than 1,000 cases. Because of the lower case numbers and lessened strain on hospitals, he says the remaining Ohio National Guard members who had been working in some Ohio hospitals and nursing homes have been released from their missions. But he warns Ohioans should still take COVID-19 seriously, especially with new variants that could come in the future.

"Omicron is not quite done threatening us yet," Vanderhoff says.

Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, director, Ohio Dept of Health
Ohio Dept of Health
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Ohio Dept of Health
Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, director, Ohio Dept of Health

Vanderhoff says the CDC considers 50 cases per 100,000 residents to be "substantial" community transmission. And he points out all 88 counties remain above that threshold.

Some Ohio schools and communities are doing away with mask requirements. Vanderhoff says COVID-19 is still a real presence in Ohio and urges Ohioans to consider the spread in their community before easing up on policies requiring masks. And he says Ohioans who are not fully vaccinated, including boosters, should get them. He says most Ohioans should have 3 COVID-19 vaccinations (2 initial doses and 1 booster) and older Ohioans who have underlying health conditions should have had 4 shots (2 initial doses and 2 extra doses or boosters). Currently, less than 61% of eligible Ohioans have received the first two doses of COVID vaccines. And children under the age of 5 are still not eligible to receive COVID vaccines.

COVID vaccine dashboard
Ohio Dept of Health
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Ohio Dept of Health
COVID vaccine dashboard

Vanderhoff says the wastewater testing program Ohio has been using to detect COVID-19 in sewage water has been effective in providing local health departments with real data they can use to prepare for, contain, and even prevent COVID outbreaks in their communities. He says that technology will continue and expand in the future to capture information about bacterial illnesses.

“Some of these food-borne bacterial outbreaks that it would be very helpful to know something is going on,” Vanderhoff says.

No COVID test signs at Powell, Ohio library
Jo Ingles
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Statehouse News Bureau
No COVID test signs at Powell, Ohio library

Vanderhoff says rapid, at-home testing kits are being dispersed again to local libraries. He adds the state has distributed more than 2.5 million rapid at-home tests through 450 library locations so far during this pandemic. But not all libraries have those tests in stock at all times so it is best to check ahead of time before making the trip to pick up tests.

Contact Jo Ingles at jingles@statehousenews.org.
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