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DeWine looking at a post-COVID summer

T-L File Photo Belmont County Deputy Health Commissioner Robert Sproul continues to update the county on COVID-19 cases.

CEDARVILLE, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine began his 150th press conference since the COVID-19 pandemic began with some good news Thursday about Ohio’s progress in driving down the numbers.

“We’ve moved through many stages of the pandemic, and I think we’re at a much better place today,” DeWine said.

He noted the state has designated Ohioans 50 years old and older eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination, as well as those with Type-2 diabetes and end-stage renal disease.

Talk turned to federal guidelines about visiting nursing home residents and how these would be carried out in Ohio.

“Facilities should always allow responsible indoor visitation for all residents, regardless of vaccination status of a resident or of the visitor,” DeWine said. There will be exceptions, such as when a facility is experiencing an outbreak of the virus.

“The bottom line is that these new guidelines emphasize the importance of every nursing home resident receiving a vaccine,” DeWine said.

The state is preparing another outreach to offer vaccinations to nursing home residents and staff who had earlier declined the shots.

DeWine cited the emotional toll of the physical separation of residents from their families and friends, and said this signaled change in a welcome direction.

“This is certainly a sign we are on the road back,” Ohio Department of Aging Director Ursel McElroy said. She commented on the federal guidelines and exceptions, such as if a facility has an unvaccinated resident in a county with a COVID-19 positivity rate of greater than 10 percent, and if less than 70 percent of the residents are fully vaccinated.

Another exception is when residents have confirmed COVID-19 cases, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated.

“As long as that individual is COVID, whether they’re vaccinated or not, that would limit their visitation, and then those residents who are quarantined, again whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, until they meet the criteria of release from quarantine,” she said.

However, she said a facility should not restrict visitation for all residents as long as there is evidence virus transmission is contained to a single area of the facility. She added that visitations would be suspended until one round of outbreak testing is complete.

McElroy stressed that compassionate care visits are always allowed, regardless of the status of those involved. Anyone who believes their visitation rights may be violated should call the state ombudsman at 800-282-1206.

More information can be found at coronavirus.ohio.gov and aging.ohio.gov.

McElroy said assisted living centers are not subject to that same federal guidance, but should allow visits under the state order. DeWine said visits to residents’ rooms are also now permitted.

In other matters, DeWine pointed out that statewide, the case rate is now 155 per 100,000 population, compared to 180 per 100,000 last week. He had said all restrictions would be lifted once Ohio’s COVID average is 50 per 100,000.

“That is great progress,” he said. “The data is certainly trending in the right direction.”

DeWine also said after discussions with numerous county fair boards, he anticipates holding full county fairs this year.

“We’re very, very excited about that. We’re issuing today the fair guidance. People will be able to have a look at that,” DeWine said. “There’ll be some limitation in the grandstands … 30 percent. Social distancing will be required” along with mask-wearing.

However, it is possible that all health orders will be lifted by then.

The state will also be issuing guidelines for festivals, parades, graduations, proms and other events.

Regarding spring high school sports, fewer restrictions are needed because they are held outdoors. DeWine announced that students are no longer required to quarantine after incidental exposure to COVID-19 in the classroom.

Bruce Vanderhoff, chief medical officer of the Ohio Department of Health, recommended a shorter quarantine than 14 days. He suggests ending quarantine after the 10th day without testing, or the seventh day following a negative test on the fifth day or later.

Ohioans can register for vaccinations at gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.

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