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Coronavirus

Local health departments using state-contracted COVID tracers

SHADYSIDE — The state is offering resources to help local health departments streamline the contact tracing process. In recent weeks and with the apparent waning of the pandemic, the Belmont County Health Department has been utilizing the Public Consulting Group for contact tracing. Belmont County Deputy Health Commissioner Robert Sproul texted his office turned over contact tracing operations to the company because the Ohio Department of Health was shifting focus to that data company in handling such operations. “We’ve transitioned to having them do the contact tracing,” ...

Memories of polio: A virus that was just as daunting

CINCINNATI (AP) — The COVID-19 pandemic and the distribution of the vaccines that will prevent it have surfaced haunting memories for Americans who lived through an earlier time when the country was swept by a virus that, for so long, appeared to have no cure or way to prevent it. They were ...

St. C. reopening meetings, restores disconnect fees

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — More signs of normalcy appeared during Monday’s City Council meeting, with council President Jim Velas announcing a planned return to pre-COVID-19 in-person meetings. Council also reinstated delinquent utility connection fees after suspending them during the ...

Even vaccinated California workers may have to keep masks on

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California is set to fully reopen in less than two weeks and do away with virtually all mask and social distancing requirements for vaccinated people. But officials who regulate workplaces in the state aren’t ready to go that far and that’s angering business groups. The California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board on Thursday was considering new workplace rules that would only allow workers to go maskless if everyone in a room is fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. The rules could remain in place into early next year even though ...

U.S. to boost vaccine sharing

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden announced Thursday the U.S. will swiftly donate a first tranche of 25 million doses of surplus vaccine overseas through the U.N.-backed COVAX program, promising infusions for South and Central America, Asia, Africa and others at a time of glaring ...

County deaths increase by three

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Activities are resuming after this week’s lifting of COVID-19 health restrictions by the state, but according to coronavirus.ohio.gov, Belmont County deaths related to the pandemic increased from 171 reported Tuesday to 174 on Wednesday. No further information, such as the gender or age ranges of the individuals, could be obtained. The Belmont County Health Department has turned its contact tracing work over to the Public Consulting Group. “When we transferred everything over to PCG they moved the death number up. We have no information about the increase,” ...