T-L Photo/CARRI GRAHAM Monroe County Health Commissioner Linda Dick, left, stands with Gov. Mike DeWine and first lady Fran DeWine during the governor’s visit Monday morning to the county’s health department in Woodsfield.

WOODSFIELD — The Monroe County Health Department was Gov. Mike DeWine’s first stop Monday morning, allowing him to view the facility and speak to staff regarding the coronavirus vaccine rollout.

DeWine said Monroe was the 17th health department he and first lady Fran DeWine had visited in the past few weeks, with additional stops planned in the near future. He said he intends to perform site visits at county health departments throughout the state in order to get a more hands-on approach to the vaccinations and needs of the counties.

“This gives me the opportunity to talk with the community and staff, and the county commissioners on how the vaccines are going. We’re really in a race to see how fast we can get people vaccinated, and at the same time the virus is starting to pick back up,” he said.

“It’s really important that we get as many people vaccinated as fast as we can.”

DeWine said the site visits allow him the opportunity to view first hand how the vaccinations are coming along, if the counties are having any issues, and what a particular county may need.

“I’ve always found that going out and talking with people directly in the county, no matter the issue, is always the best way to understand what is going on,” he said.

DeWine said Monroe County is doing “very well” with its vaccine administration. Around 27 percent of county residents have received the first dose of vaccine, he said. More than 19 percent of the county is fully vaccinated.

“They’re really right on track where they should be,” he said.

The health department has a drive-through vaccination clinic set for Wednesday where nearly 600 residents age 40 and older will receive the vaccine. Those interested in receiving the shot can register by calling the department at 740-472-4299 or emailing covid@monroecounty.ohio.com. The resident must include their name, address, phone number and date of birth in the email.

During Monday’s tour, the first lady handed out her own handmade — and prepackaged — buckeye brownies to those in attendance.

Monroe County Health Commissioner Linda Dick said she was thrilled that Gov. DeWine came to tour the facility and got to see what the department does.

“We are tickled he was here. We’re happy to see he was impressed with our vaccination numbers,” she said. “I’m happy he could come here and see what we do. We’ve got an excellent staff here, and we all work well together.”

Following the stop in Woodsfield, DeWine went on to visit the Morgan County Health Department in McConnelsville and the Vinton County Health Department in McArthur..