Situation Overview
The CDC is responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in China and which has now been detected in more than 100 locations internationally, including in the United States. The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”)
According to the CDC, COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus, which is thought to be spread through person-to-person contact. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in many different species of animals. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The virus is thought to spread via droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or among people who are in close contact with one another.
On January 30, 2020, the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a “public health emergency of international concern” (PHEIC). On January 31, 2020, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex M. Azar II declared a public health emergency (PHE) for the United States to aid the nation’s healthcare community in responding to COVID-19. On March 11, 2020 WHO characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic.
Local Level Response:
Marion Public Health has been working closely with local community partners and the Ohio Department of Health to disseminate accurate and timely information regarding our local community response, as well as communicating decisions being made at the State and Federal levels that may impact the delivery of local community services.
Total number of confirmed cases in Marion County: 0
Total number of deaths in Marion County: 0
Changes to local services are starting to be reported. We are working on a list of local impacts and will try and get that out tomorrow.
It is critically important to use conservation measures for all PPE.
Marion Public Health is requesting that all residents and workers in Marion County follow Federal, State, and Local directives and orders until the Governor’s State of Emergency Order is lifted.
For the most up-to-date information: please follow @MarionPublicHealth on Facebook and Ohio Health Blog https://blog.ohiohealth.com/
State Level Response:
The first cases of COVID-19 were identified in Ohio on March 9, 2020.Governor DeWine declared a State of Emergency in order to increase resources available for state-response.
Total number of confirmed cases in Ohio: 37
Total number of deaths in Ohio: 0
Jurisdictions reporting cases: 11 (Belmont, Butler, Cuyahoga, Franklin, Lorain, Lucas, Medina, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, and Tuscarawas counties)
What actions have been directed:
Unemployment benefits: Changes to unemployment compensation will assist Ohio workers that do not have paid leave benefits during the emergency period. This will include individuals that are quarantined by health professionals or by their employer and the one week waiting period for benefits will be waived.
Small Business: Low interest loans will be available for Ohio Small Businesses of up to $2M to help overcome temporary loss of revenue through the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program.
Restaurants and Bars: Will be closed to dine-in customers beginning Sunday, 03/15/2020 at 9pm. Carryout and delivery will still be allowed.
Mass Gatherings: An order has been issued by Amy Acton, MD., MPH to prohibit mass gatherings in the state of Ohio. Mass gatherings are defined as any event or convening that brings together 100 or more persons in a single room or single space at the same time such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, theater, or any other confined indoor or outdoor space, including parades, fairs, and festivals. There are specific exclusions to this list and this order will stay in effect until the state of emergency declared by Governor DeWine has been rescinded or modified.
Daycare: The Governor announced that daycares will remain open for now, but will likely be closed in the future.
School Closures: Governor DeWine has ordered all K-12 schools to close to students from the end of the school day on Monday, March 16-April 3, 2020. Additional guidance will be issued to ensure the continuity of important student services, including providing meals. The state has directed schools to prepare to be out of school for more than 3 weeks.
Psychiatric Hospitals: No visitors to State Psychiatric Hospitals
Nursing Homes/Assisted Living Facilities: An order has been issued limiting visitors to one per day per resident. There will be a single point of entry at a facility and everyone will be screened for temperature and potential illness, Visitor logs must be maintained. Additional restrictions are anticipated in the coming days.
Prisons: Prison visitation has been suspended. Entrance to Ohio’s prisons will be restricted.
For more information from Ohio Department of Health, see https://coronavirus.ohio.gov
*The Governor yesterday suggested physician practices, ambulatory surgery centers, dental offices and vet practices give serious consideration to implementing the cancelation of elective surgeries and outpatient procedures or limiting to only necessary. By doing this, it will save Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), keep people out of waiting rooms (social distancing) and will save beds in case post op admission is planned or unplanned.
Federal Level Response:
Total number of confirmed cases in the United States: 3244
Total number of deaths in the Unites States: 61
Jurisdictions reporting cases: 50 (49 states and District of Columbia)
What actions have been directed:
All coronavirus testing will be free for all Americans. Nearly 2 million tests will be available by the end of the week.
Federal reserve has lowered interest rates to 0.25%
New Restrictions have been placed on passenger travel from 26 European nations to the US for the next 30 days, as well as continuing restrictions for passenger travel to China, Iran, South Korea, and Italy. Restrictions have been updated to include the UK and Ireland.
The Federal Government is working on measures to lessen economic impacts to both affected workers and business and industry. Announcements will be made in the coming days.
For more information from the CDC, see https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html