By 1808Delaware; State of Ohio
There’s a bit of reverse directioning going on.
As COVID-19 case numbers are again on the rise in Ohio, Governor DeWine announced on Monday that many restrictions to prevent more infections are going away while certain others, such as mask wearing, are continuing.
Welcome to the latest chapter in a year-long set of moves to address the pandemic.
Changes announced will impact mass gatherings, including sporting events, fairs, festivals, theatres, etc.. Most will now allow these to take place while maintaining limitations on social distancing and other safety measures.
On Monday afternoon, the State of Ohio shared the following updates on Ohio’s response.
CONDENSED HEALTH ORDER
Governor DeWine announced that the Ohio Department of Health will issue a simplified health order that streamlines previous orders into a single order that underscores the most important tenets of infection prevention.
“Our understanding of this virus and how it spreads is much more advanced than it was when we first learned about coronavirus in early 2020,” said Governor DeWine. “As we move to begin a new chapter in our fight against the pandemic, where more and more Ohioans are being vaccinated, this new order will focus on our best defense measures against COVID-19, such as wearing a mask, social distancing, limiting large gatherings, being outside, and practicing good hand hygiene.”
Director’s Order for Social Distancing, Facial Coverings, and Non-Congregating
Director’s Order Rescinding Various Orders
HIGH SCHOOL VACCINATIONS
Governor DeWine announced that he has asked Ohio’s local health departments and vaccine providers that are offering the Pfizer vaccine to coordinate with local high schools to offer vaccinations to high school students who are 16 or older. Pfizer is the only vaccine that is currently approved for children as young as 16.
Today’s announcement follows last week’s announcement that vaccination clinics will be offered at all higher education campuses in the coming weeks. “As with our colleges, by taking vaccines to schools, we’ll increase the percentage of people in this age group who choose to get vaccinated,” said Governor DeWine.
OhioRISE
As part of the Ohio Department of Medicaid’s managed care overhaul, Governor DeWine announced the “Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence (OhioRISE) program. The program will feature new, intensive, community-based services that will serve youth in their homes and communities, rather than in congregate settings that can be far away from a child’s home and support system.
Over the next ten months, Aetna Better Health of Ohio will work with the Ohio Department of Medicaid and the Family and Children First Cabinet Council to launch OhioRISE to serve all of Ohio’s eligible children. To enroll in OhioRISE, children must be Medicaid eligible, have significant behavioral health needs, and require enhanced services.
Video of today’s full update, including versions with foreign language translation, can be viewed on the Ohio Channel’s YouTube page.
Image by Daria Nepriakhina from Pixabay
