CRAWFORD COUNTY—A recent surge in the number of COVID cases in Crawford and Richland counties have pushed area hospitals to their limits.
Chris Adler, Emergency Preparedness Director of Avita, reports that the ICUs in both Bucyrus and Ontario hospitals are at 100% capacity with COVID patients. Galion Hospital’s ICU is at 60% capacity with COVID patients.
According to Adler, the surge in cases is occurring much earlier this year. While Ontario is the hardest hit in our area, hospitals all over are scrambling to create additional spaces to house patients. A full 55% of the COVID patients are currently on ventilators.
Adler encourages those who have symptoms or want a test either go to the walk-in testing site, call their doctor, or visit other testing sites. Avita is expanding the hours of their drive-through testing tent on the west side of the Avita campus in Ontario. If possible, Adler suggests avoiding the Emergency Department for testing as appointments are necessary for testing.
They are also expanding their antibody infusion clinic hours to accommodate outpatient treatment when possible.
“We have the fix. We can get to herd immunity, and that’s how this ends. People need to vaccinate. But regardless of what you believe, we’re here to take care of you.” Adler said.
Hospital staff is working round the clock to care for patients and prepare for more incoming cases. Healthcare workers are exhausted but determined.
For any number of reasons, people are reluctant to vaccinate. A full 91% of COVID patients are not vaccinated, yet the current vaccinations are 95% effective in preventing and/or seriously reducing the impact of COVID. The success rate is remarkable when compared with the flu vaccine (a commonly administered annual vaccine) at only about 39% effective (as of 2019).
Kate Siefert , Health Commissioner of Crawford County, echoed Adler’s sentiments. She noted the sharp incline in cases in Crawford County. As of Monday, Crawford County reported 176 new cases. Of those cases, only ten were fully vaccinated. The age range is from one month old to 92 years old. The average age is trending younger this year, at age 40.
In the Bucyrus zip code are the largest percentage of cases at 50%. The Crestline zip code is at 25%. Galion has its own health department, but Polk township is at 23%.
The Crawford County Department of Health offers discreet vaccinations weekly. Citizens can also call the Health Department and make an appointment. Siefert understands that people are vaccine-hesitant for several reasons. She said the health department staff is willing and able to answer questions and concerns regarding the vaccines.
Siefert also reminds people to take the usual and necessary precautions whether they are vaccinated or not.
“Practice good hygiene, wash your hands often, wear a mask in public, social distance and stay home if you are not feeling well,” Siefert said.
Crawford County Now reached out to our readers for their input on the vaccine. One Bucyrus man in his 60’s said he took the Moderna vaccine with no reaction or complications.
A father in Crawford County told us:” My wife is working in the medical field and running covid testing. The Kids asked for it with hopes of not wearing masks again. I was never convinced that it was the solution, but I was pretty confident that it wouldn’t hurt anything to get it.” And finally, a Crawford County woman shared her thoughts: “To answer your questions. No, I am not vaccinated. I will never take that. I think it’s horrible that some people will not have a choice but to lose a job because of this. I have researched how this is made, and I am very anti-abortion, and they use cells from an aborted baby to make this….and other vaccines. I don’t get those either. I have had two relatives die from COVID. One had COPD and was 82. I have seen a high recovery rate and feel if they would not have taken the cure off the market, that would be higher. I hate that this has divided people and made bullies out of decent people. What happened to the right to choose?”
Crawford County Now will continue to follow the latest updates on COVID from our area health professionals.