BUCYRUS—The number of new COVID-19 cases in Ohio continues to rise and Crawford County is no exception.

According to Crawford County Health Commissioner Kate Siefert, last week, Nov. 8 through Nov. 14, Crawford County Public Health received a record number of cases within a seven-day time frame with 162 new cases being reported to her agency. The Galion City Health Department reported that as of Nov. 13, there are 90 active cases in that jurisdiction. There is currently a total of 211 active cases in the Crawford County jurisdiction and as if Friday, there are 90 active cases in the Galion City area.

Also, there are currently 14 Crawford County residents currently hospitalized with the virus and Galion is reporting seven people hospitalized.

“Hospitals we are aware of providing care for these patients are Galion Avita, Bucyrus Avita, Mansfield OhioHealth, Riverside, OSU and OhioHealth Doctors West,” said Siefert. “There may be others since they sometimes get transferred without our knowledge and we may not find out until after they are home.”

All three Avita hospitals, Bucyrus, Galion and Ontario, are now offering COVID testing for local residents and Siefert said there is a push for health departments across the state to be provided with testing kits in the future.

TESTING FOR COVID

The nurses at Crawford County Public Health have a message for local residents when it comes to the testing process.

“We would like people to know two important things about when someone goes to get tested and also when someone tests positive. First off, it is crucial for people to isolate from others while they are waiting on their test results. This will greatly reduce the number of close contacts and people needing to quarantine if they isolate at home until their results are provided to them,” said Siefert. “Secondly, upon receiving a positive test result it is important that they reach out to those that they have been in close contact with during the previous 48 hours.”

She said that with the increased number of cases, coupled with the large number of contacts many of the cases provide, her office is not always able to immediately contact a case when the lab provides the results.

“It may be the next day before we can contact someone that is positive to do the investigation and receive their list of close contacts. People that test positive can reach out to the people they know they have been in close contact with (less than six feet for 15 minutes or more cumulatively) during the previous 48 hours,” said Siefert. “Those contacts are then able to quarantine themselves immediately at home and not risk unknowingly spreading the virus to others.”

She said her office will be following up with all cases and contacts, but even with her staff working seven days per week, they are not always able to immediately speak with everyone.

To people who say that increased testing leads to more COVID cases, Siefert said that while increased testing does help provide more information on those that are both positive and negative for COVID-19, that is certainly not the primary reason we are seeing more cases.

“Testing in Crawford County is still somewhat difficult and the majority of the cases we are seeing are people that developed symptoms, reached out to their doctor or visited an Urgent Care Center, and tested positive,” said Siefert. “People should think of the example of having a fever – using a thermometer to know the temperature doesn’t change whether or not you have a fever, it just identifies it. Testing doesn’t create more cases – it just identifies the spread of the virus in our community.”

She said the increase in active virus cases is indicative of our area having a higher viral load compared to where we were last summer.

“To create a visual, I often ask people to imagine that old game show where people stood inside a wind tunnel and had a few seconds to catch as much money as they could. If you pictured that wind tunnel with only a few $100 bills and you were asked to dodge the money and not let it hit you in the face, you could probably do that (you would look funny, but you could you duck and dodge and avoid the money for a while). That is the image of low viral load,” said Siefert. “Now, if you take that same wind tunnel and put thousands of $100 bills in and tell the person to avoid having a bill hit you in the face, it becomes nearly impossible. That is high viral load.”

She said then if you put that same person back into the high viral load wind tunnel but you give them a shield, they are still surrounded by bills but they can use that shield to keep them off their face.

“This is what we are trying to do with social distancing, facial coverings, hand washing and frequent cleaning — shielding ourselves while surrounded by COVID,” said Siefert.

Siefert and Trish Factor, Galion City Health Department’s health commissioner, agree that while there are some congregate living places, such as Millcreek in Galion, that are experiencing outbreaks of the virus, most of the rising case numbers stem from community spread.

“People seem to be experiencing “COVID fatigue,” in which they are tired of the precautions and have become lax with things like mask-wearing and social distancing,” said Siefert. “This will not last forever, but we do need to continue to protect ourselves and each other a while longer.”

MASK MANDATE

Factor posted the following message on Facebook regarding the mask mandate being enforced throughout Ohio by Governor Mike DeWine last week:

Governor Mike DeWine announced that Ohio remains in a state of emergency as we are at the most crucial phase of the pandemic and in our third surge of the virus.

A vaccine could be here as early as December and the state will be ready to distribute it to essential workers and then the general population.

But until a vaccine is widely available, the Governor announced tonight that Ohio’s facial covering order is now reissued with three additions:

1: All businesses must post a facial covering requirement sign at entrances.

2: Each store will be responsible for ensuring all customers and employees are wearing masks at all times.

3: A newly formed Retail Compliance Unit will be inspecting complaints to ensure compliance of the mask order.

He reminded us that gatherings are currently limited to 10 people or less and this applies to public events and private gatherings. A new order will be released in the next few days that will place further restrictions on social activities. Avoid additional risk by not hosting or attending gatherings

If the current trend of the increase in cases continues, DeWine announced that restaurants, bars, and gyms could be forced to close once again. A decision will be made after the data is analyzed again one week from today.

As for schools, we must do our part to slow the spread of the virus to keep our kids in school.

He reminds us that, “What you do in your life impacts all of us – our communities, our schools, nursing homes, hospitals, and businesses.”

GATHERINGS

Both health commissioners have said that the spread seems to be increasing as more people gathering in groups, including people gathering for family get-togethers, house parties, weddings and other events.

Siefert said the virus is unpredictable as to who may be infected and passing it on with no symptoms or mild ones.

“Someone may think they simply have a cold or are experiencing allergies, so they do not get tested until their symptoms worsen or continue after several days. They may have continued to work and go other places not realizing they could potentially be spreading the virus which is the reason it is so important to wear masks,” said Siefert. “We want kids in school, people being able to socialize and businesses to remain open, but we all have to continue to be diligent about protecting ourselves and others.”

Siefert said that many people get confused about the no large gathering requirements.

“It is confusing, so are always more than happy to help people understand the intent of the mandates.    Schools, retail stores, and factories (of all sizes) are considered essential functions. Because of that, there are specific requirements mandated by the State for them to operate safely during this time such as increased cleaning, social distancing and wearing facial coverings,” said Siefert.

She said mass gatherings do not function in a manner that they are able to ensure social distancing, hand washing, cleaning of surfaces, and wearing facial coverings.

“Therefore, the State is still prohibiting mass gatherings. The premise revolves around knowing we can never fully eliminate the risk of spreading the virus, therefore the activities we do should be focused on doing what is necessary and then finding ways to do those necessary tasks in the safest way possible,” Siefert.

She said that attending mass gatherings, like concerts and OSU football games, is not identified as an essential function of our daily lives.

“Working at a large factory making products that are highly needed by consumers for their day-to-day life is an essential function, but to stay open they must put precautions in place,” Siefert said.

Factor reminds people about keeping each other safe over the upcoming holidays, including Thanksgiving, in a Facebook post on Friday:

Thanksgiving is two weeks from today. The safest way to celebrate is virtually or with members of your own household. If you do plan to host or attend a gathering outside of your immediate household, now is the time to think critically about your activities and assess your risk for exposure to COVID-19. The bubble you actually have may be larger than the bubble you think you have. We must be mindful of our potential exposure to prevent the spread and keep our vulnerable friends and family safe.

AVITA COVID TESTING

According to Avita, people can be tested for COVID-19, as well as influenza and strep throat, while in their vehicles in the parking lot with an order from a medical provider. Scheduled appointments are required for testing.

The testing sites will be open at Galion Hospital (South Entrance) from 8 a.m. to noon, Bucyrus Hospital (Cardiac Rehab Entrance) from noon to 4 p.m. and Ontario Hospital (East Entrance) from noon to 4 p.m.

Medical providers must call to schedule testing and submit an order for patients to be tested at one of these sites. COVID-19 tests can be purchased out-of-pocket without a doctor’s order for $150 by calling 419-462-3437 for an appointment.