By 1808Delaware
The number of COVID-19 infections has risen precipitously in Ohio over the last several weeks and days, giving rise to some of the first concerted action in weeks by the State of Ohio.
At the same time, local schools’ reported number of cases remains steady.
In late November, the number of new cases in Delaware County school districts and buildings was averaging a bit over 150 a week. When numbers were released on Tuesday of this week by the Ohio Department of Health, it was reported that 136 cases were present this past week, representing 129 students and 7 staff members.
This reporting period was the last full week before students depart for Christmas and Winter break.
Impacted districts and schools:
- All of the Children of the World Academy – 1 student
- Big Walnut – 13 students
- Buckeye Valley – 16 students, 4 staff
- DACC – 2 students
- Delaware City – 49 students
- Olentangy – 45 students, 3 staff
- St. Paul – 3 students
In Columbus, the following information was shared on Friday:
OHIO NATIONAL GUARD MOBILIZED
Governor DeWine mobilized 1,050 members of the Ohio National Guard to help relieve the hospital staffing strain caused by the rising number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients is causing. Of the total mobilized guard members, approximately 150 are highly-trained medical professionals and will deploy to help meet critical needs at hospitals and testing locations. The remaining 900 guard members will help with patient transport, housekeeping, and food services. Guard members will be brought on duty beginning on Monday.
STAFFING AGREEMENT
The Ohio Department of Health is working with an Ohio health care staffing company to help meet hospital staffing needs. This agreement will allow for Ohio hospitals to bring in qualified nurses and other providers from out-of-state to fill needed positions to help ease some of the current added pressure on hospitals and staff.
HOSPITALIZATION DATA
More than 4,700 people are currently hospitalized in Ohio fighting COVID-19, that equates to one in every 5 hospital patients. This is the highest number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 this year, and the number of hospitalized patients is rapidly approaching an all-time high.
Due to the increase in COVID-19 hospital admissions, many hospitals have been forced to postpone elective surgeries, transfer patients to other hospitals, impose visitation standards, and/or implement what they call “crisis standards of care,” in which they have no choice but to take extraordinary steps to care for patients in ways that aren’t typical, such as providing intensive care in emergency rooms or in post-surgical units.
In Northern Ohio (Ohio Hospital Zone 1) most hospitals have suspended elective surgeries. In Central and Southeast Ohio (Ohio Hospital Zone 2), the same thing is beginning to happen. In SoutheastOhio, (Ohio Hospital Zone 3), hospital leaders are preparing to take similar action.
The best way to relieve the strain on our health care providers is to stay up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations to prevent serious illness and hospitalizations. To find a vaccination provider near you, visit http://gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov.
