Local cases drop, health workers say

A Lorain County case count and death rate continue decreasing in the novel coronavirus pandemic, the county health chief said.

Meanwhile, Lorain County Public Health is getting COVID-19 vaccines into people’s arms.

But the mass vaccination clinics still have scheduling hiccups, said Lorain County Public Health Commissioner Dave Covell.

On Feb. 16, the Lorain County Community Protection Team assembled online for the week’s review of developments in the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The group was convened by Lorain County Commissioner Matt Lundy and includes health experts, local elected officials and representatives of businesses, education and nonprofits.

The declining case count is good news, said Covell and hospital leaders.

Across the country since January, there has been a 60 percent decline, said Dr. Rebecca Starck, president of Cleveland Clinic Avon Hospital.

An estimated 55 million doses of vaccine were administered across the United States and it could be that up to 100 million people have had exposure to COVID-19, whether documented or not, Starck said.

With protection from the virus by vaccine or infection, that may be reducing the numbers, she said.

But no one knows exactly who has not been exposed, so it still is necessary to take precautions such as wearing masks, washing hands frequently and maintaining a safe distance between people, Starck said.

Coronavirus numbers are going down, although the intensive care units remain “fairly well utilized,” said Kristi Sink, president of University Hospital Elyria Medical Center.

That hospital will have its last employee clinic this week, so any workers who want the vaccine will get it, Sink said.

Mercy Health employees continue to get their vaccinations and also are seeing infection numbers decline,

said Char Wray, chief operating officer at Mercy Health - Lorain.

In recovery

The Cleveland Clinic has opened a new recover clinic for COVID-19 “long haulers,” those who have longterm symptoms identified, Starck said.

Up to 80 percent of people with COVID-19 may have long-term effects, including in their cardiovascular systems and lungs, Starck said.

Vaccinations spreading

Covell said he believes from January to April, all people age 65 or older, or who have underlying medical conditions, and who want the vaccine, will get it.

From April to June, the health staff will start on everybody else, he said.

“I know people are impatient, but hang in there a little longer,” Covell said. “And then while that vaccination’s going on, April through June, is when we’ll start opening up a little bit more, too.

“All good things hopefully will keep moving in the right direction. In the meantime, hang in there a little longer.”

Be on time

Lorain County Public Health operates “pods,” or the mass vaccination clinics that can get shots to 500, 1,000 or sometimes more people in one day.

In 2021 so far, there were three significant issues because the clinic information was posted on social media and people began showing up early for the scheduled

open hours, Covell said.

Then there’s a problem, because in distributing the first dose of the two-shot vaccine, Lorain County Public Health will not turn away people, he said.

Some people have suggested Lorain County Public Health should use appointments for the shots.

Pharmacies scheduling appointments may be giving 100 shots a week, Covell said.

The public health agency possibly could do 200 appointments a week, but then distributing 2,000 vaccines would take 10 weeks instead of a matter of days, he said.

The situation becomes aggravating for people, but if they show up at their allotted times, the process usually goes smoothly with relatively short wait times, Covell said.

As for the second shots, Lorain County Public Health has a clear list of who is scheduled to return for the second dose, so people who just show up seeking a first shot will be turned away, he said.

Weather delay

A second-dose inoculation clinic scheduled for Feb. 16 was canceled due to heavy snowfall, Covell said.

That clinic was rescheduled to Feb. 17.

Lorain County Public Health was using about 120 doses Feb. 16 for people on call to respond quickly when the shots are available.

Using that method prevents Lorain County Public Health from wasting any vaccines available, which is a priority for the agency, Covell said.