Health department to get $256K for coronavirus fight

Lorain County General Health District will receive $256,092 to help aid in the fight against novel coronavirus.

State Rep. Gayle Manning, R-North Ridgeville, commended the federal funding relief that will be disseminated across Ohio.

“Together, we all face this health crisis and it’s imperative our health district have funding they need,” Manning said. “I am grateful to the portion of funds Lorain County was able to receive as our health workers so desperately need it to ensure the safety and protection for both themselves and their patients during this pandemic.” Lorain County Public Health has monitored the spread of COVID-19 since the end of January, said Dave Covell, Lorain County health commissioner.

Since then, the department has accrued an operating deficit, Covell said.

“Ultimately what matters today, is saving as many people as we can,” he said. “So, we dump everything that we can into this.”

Currently, Lorain County has 82 cases of COVID-19 and more than 200 people who were in close contact with people who are confirmed cases, Covell said.

There are call teams to deal with people making general inquiries or complaining about nonessential businesses opening.

Nurses also spend time checking in with quarantined people to ask if they are developing symptoms, Covell said.

On Saturdays and Sundays, the crews are smaller, but not by much, and they continue the work, he said.

On March 25, the Ohio State Controlling Board approved the flow of federal relief funds that will be allocated to health districts throughout the state.

This federal relief derives from the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that President Trump signed March 8, according to Manning’s office.

In total, the Controlling Board approved more than $15.62 in federal funding to be awarded across Ohio as a result of the federal act.