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Transportation to vaccination available soon

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Belmont County Deputy Health Commissioner Robert Sproul said some new transportation options will be available soon for people wishing to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

“East Ohio Regional Transportation got a grant from (the Ohio Department of Transportation) and they’re going to help with transportation to clinics also, so if someone can’t afford to get to the clinic, they can contact them and they’ll transport you,” he said. “It went out to all the 88 counties, giving transportation options to the public.”

“We’ve applied for the grant money, but we have not gotten an OK back from ODOT,” Executive Director Lisa Weishar said, adding transportation could begin in a week or two.

“As soon as it is … we are partnering with some local places to pick people up and take them to the vaccine, free of charge, until the grant money runs out or Dec. 31, 2022, whichever comes first.”

Weishar said there will be no eligibility qualifications.

“The people we are partnering with, they have clients and they would be those clients, but if you’re just riding our bus, we’ll take you to where they’re giving shots on our bus system, which right now is Ohio Valley Mall at the old Sears building, you’d get on our bus and say ‘I’m going to get the vaccine’ … it would be free of charge for you to ride the bus that way, and free of charge for you to get back.”

Weishar said transportation would also be available to people wishing to use an upcoming clinic in Bellaire near the Ohio River. She said another clinic could come to Yorkville in Jefferson County.

She said the buses hold 22 passengers each, and other partner organizations such as the Martins Ferry EMS will also be transporting people.

For more information, call the transit authority at 304-232-2190 or the health department at 740-695-1202.

Sproul said the health department is also looking into a state grant that would fund two nurses.

Sproul also gave an update on the curtailed distribution of the Johnson & Johnson version of the vaccine while a study can be made of some bad reactions.

“Johnson & Johnson’s on pause, the vaccine. They’re looking into some issues. Six people have had adverse reactions to the vaccine. A blood clotting issue in their brain. I believe one person passed away,” Sproul said.

Of the 6.8 million people vaccinated with Johnson and Johnson nationwide, six women ages 18 to 48 are known to have had this reaction.

“They’re trying to figure out what the connection is with that,” Sproul said. “It’s good they’re not pushing vaccines out without trying to see if they’re safe.”

“It’ll probably end up with more guidance going forward on who shouldn’t get the Johnson & Johnson,” he said.

Sproul also relayed Gov. Mike DeWine’s orders for proms and graduations. They include masking, social distancing and holding events outside when possible.

“Kids will be able to go to graduation and prom this year. Some already have,” Sproul said. “It’s good to see that’s going on.”

He also noted DeWine had rescinded masking orders, then reinstated them.

“That caused a lot of confusion around the area,” Sproul said. “I get frustrated when they rescind them. Just revise them.”

A vaccination clinic will be held at the Ohio Valley Mall Thursday, with second doses scheduled for the morning, and first doses 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“We’re even allowing walk-ins, so if someone doesn’t have a computer and can’t go on a computer, they just want to stop out, they can come out and get the Moderna,” Sproul said.

He expects to continue the clinic at the mall for the next five weeks.

Sproul said the Health Department has administered about 13,000 doses so far, not counting those vaccines administered by other providers. Numbers of people seeking a first dose have also decreased.

“A lot of counties are seeing a slow down,” he said.

A clinic for students and staff was set up at Belmont College Tuesday, and another is scheduled this coming Tuesday at Ohio University Eastern as part of DeWine’s push to vaccinate college students prior to school letting out and young people embarking on traveling with the risk of spreading the virus. The original intent was to use the single-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine for convenience, but those receiving the other versions must have a second dose in about 28 days.

In answer to a question from Commissioner Jerry Echemann, Sproul said fully-vaccinated people are not required to carry their vaccination card.

“They’re not mandating that at this point,” Sproul said. “I know the travel industry and a lot of these, the airlines, etc., like that because I think they were hoping to put more people on a plane and be able to go back.”

Sproul said there have been 5,864 total cases, with 311 residents either hospitalized or isolated with active cases. There have been 5,441 recoveries and 112 people have died after contracting the virus, with the latest reported Wednesday.

“A male in his 80s passed away,” Sproul said.

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