ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Plans are proceeding statewide to administer COVID-19 vaccinations to those Ohioans most at risk in the pandemic.

“Today is an exciting day for us, as we begin vaccinating the elderly members of our state,” Gov. Mike DeWine said in a press conference Tuesday, adding that the state is going on the “offensive” against the virus.

The Phase 1B group of residents includes Ohioans 65 years and older, school staff and people with severe illnesses. Since the 1B group is so large, the state is rolling out the shots in stages based on age, beginning with those 80 and older.

Those 75 and older will be eligible Jan. 25, followed by people 70 and older. Ohioans with severe congenital, developmental or early-onset medical disorders will be eligible for vaccination Jan. 25.

DeWine’s program featured several senior citizens at health centers and vaccination sites in Athens and Wood Counties receiving shots.

Locally, Belmont County Deputy Health Commissioner Robert Sproul said his office would be receiving 400 doses this week and a day will be set to provide shots for residents 80 and older who have registered. It is highly likely those who register this week will not be able to receive a dose this week, but they will be added to the waiting list and inoculated as the age brackets expand.

A second dose is required about 29 days after the initial one. DeWine said the second dose is put aside for every initial dose administered.

Belmont County Senior Services Director Dwayne Pielech said his staff would provide transportation to vaccine sites for those seniors who need it.

“We know we might have some senior consumers, clients of ours, that will need transportation,0 and we will transport them to the shots,” he said.

“They have to call the provider. So in this case, they have to call the health department and make an appointment,” Pielech said.

Vaccines are also available at the Kroger pharmacies in Bellaire and St. Clairsville, as well as at Barnesville Hospital for those 80 or older in Group 1B. The public should call these entities and make an appointment.

Pielech said he does not expect to be able to reopen the county’s senior centers until the vaccine takes effect, which will likely be later in spring. The county’s senior centers were closed last spring.

“It is a month-by-month process on the senior centers,” he said.

He added that many older Belmont County residents are excited about the prospect of vaccinations.

“We get seniors that’ll call with basic questions, so we try to answer questions about the vaccinations. We often refer them back to their own family doctor,” he said. “A large part are taking the shot,” he said. “There’s a lot of anticipation and a lot of questions because they don’t want to miss out.”

DeWine’s presentation also included a few words from Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff, who confirmed a more contagious strain of the virus has been identified in Ohio and will likely be the dominant strain in a matter of weeks. He said there is every indication the vaccine will be effective against it, as will precautions such as hand-washing, masking and social distancing.

Sproul reported there have been 4,565 positive coronavirus cases in Belmont County since the pandemic began, with 973 people now isolated at home with active cases and 34 in hospitals. There have been 3,471 recoveries. Two more deaths reported Tuesday bring the total to 87, with the latest victims being men in their 50s and 60s.

To register for a vaccine with the health department, go to belmontcountyhealth.com.

More information about vaccination sites and available doses in a county can be found at coronavirus.ohio.gov.

Kroger pharmacies encourage customers to visit kroger.com/ohiocovidvaccine or to call the COVID-19 vaccine helpline at 866-211-5320 for the latest information on vaccine availability in the area. All vaccinations will require an appointment.

WVU Medicine Barnesville Hospital will be conducting a two-day community vaccination clinic on site Thursday and Friday. Those 80 and older can call 740-425-5255 for an appointment.