Health Commissioner updates community on virus

Lorain County Health Commissioner Dave Covell provided novel coronavirus updates as Ohio continues to move forward with the reopening schedule for additional sectors of the economy.

Covell appeared via video conference with Lorain County commissioners on May 13.

Covell has served as a member of the Restart Ohio Restaurant and Bar Group in developing best practices for the sectors to reopen.

He was one of six health commissioners among 50 members on the panel advising the state.

Covell said he was pleasantly surprised in listening to restaurant owners in making sure they set the right balance in giving input, calling it a very productive process.

Customers have a responsibility to follow the guidelines in maintaining six feet of distance and wearing masks when possible in a shared effort to protect public health, he said.

“We’re all in this together,” Covell said. “If we don’t as a community also follow what the industry is asking us to do, then we can’t succeed.”

The health commissioner also is working with the state advising on swimming and outdoor recreation activities.

In looking at trends, Covell said Lorain County was coming down off the slope in flattening the curve.

“It’s important to remember that flattening the curve was a great thing to do, and we were successful at it,” he said. “So, the idea of this sharp peak and then we come down actually is happening, and that’s a good thing; we have leveled that slope out.”

Over the past two and a half weeks Covell noted the county has been in a long slope, and over the past few days, the county has averaged four to five new cases daily.

Prior to that, the county was experiencing 10 to 12 cases a day, he said.

As the state opens, Covell said there will be more COVID-19 exposure and Lorain County Public Health will revert back to its original message: encouraging people to wash their hands; cover their cough; and staying home when feeling ill.

A lot of important work is being done with antibody testing as it remains unclear if individuals who have contracted the virus are immune if exposed again, he said.

As of May 15, Lorain County has 508 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 50 deaths.

An additional 73 cases are considered probable.

Childcare, campgrounds

On May 15, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced reopening dates childcare centers, day camps and campgrounds, providing a boost for parents with more businesses back in operation.

Campgrounds are eligible to reopen May 21 and horse racing can restart May 22.

On May 26, fitness centers/ gyms, non contact or limited contact sports leagues, and pools regulated by local health departments can reopen.

Childcare and sports leagues are set to reopen May 31.

Responsible RestartOhio will require childcare providers to reduce the numbers of children in each classroom in addition to enhanced cleaning and hand washing guidelines.

“Our goal is to have the safest child care system in the nation,” DeWine said.

“One that nurtures the health and continued growth and development of our children, and one that protects the health and safety of our child care workers and teachers.”

While childcare will look different in the wake of COVID-19, it’s imperative that the state handles the situation properly to avoid the risk of exposing more individuals, he said.