Another Record Day of COVID-19 Cases

Ohio continues a string of record days, including over 8,000 new COVID-19 cases reported today. The prior record of 7,101 new infections came yesterday. For comparison, at the end of September Ohio was averaging under 1,000 new cases per day.

Today also saw an above-average 298 hospitalizations and 42 more deaths, nearly twice the average.

According to this week’s Public Health Advisory System map, 68 counties are rated as having a very high risk of exposure and spread (Red Level 3), up from 56 counties last week. This represents the highest number of Red Level 3 counties since the launch of the advisory system in July. In addition, two counties—Franklin and Tuscarawas—met six of seven advisory-system indicators and are approaching Purple Level 4. 

Gov. Mike DeWine announced a new zipcode dashboard has been added to the coronavirus website. Data can be filtered by probable or confirmed case status, county, a specific zip code, or a specific time period. Case counts will also be available on a downloadable, filterable chart sorted from the most cases to the least. To protect confidentiality, case counts for zip codes with fewer than five cases or less than 100 total residents will not be displayed.

Although testing capacity in Ohio has nearly doubled, the number of people testing positive for the coronavirus has increased almost four times.

DeWine Calls on Ohioans to Recommit to Safety Practices

In a statewide address Wednesday evening, Gov. Mike DeWine called on Ohioans to recommit to their individual efforts to prevent coronavirus spread as Ohio moves through its most intense, widespread, and dangerous surge of cases to date. He also said unless Ohio is able to quickly slow the spread, business restrictions and other limitations could be implemented. He said a decision whether to close restaurants, bars, and fitness centers could come next Thursday.

DeWine said there are serious concerns about stress on hospital capacity and staff. “With this new wave of COVID-19, the onset of flu season, and an already-exhausted group of health care workers, there won’t be enough people to fully staff our health care facilities in the next few weeks,” he said. “If we don’t change this, Ohio won’t be able to provide appropriate care for COVID patients or for Ohioans who require other emergency care for things like accidents, strokes, and heart attacks. Hospitals will again be forced to postpone important, but less urgent, care.”

DeWine began his widely-televised speech saying Ohio will be ready to distribute a COVID-19 vaccine once it is available. On Monday, Pfizer announced early data shows their vaccine is 90% effective.

TAKE ACTION!
Oppose HB 177

The House of Representatives Health Committee is considering HB 177, the APRN scope of practice expansion legislation, on Wednesday. The agenda calls for a possible vote that day!

Bill sponsor Rep. Tom Brinkman (R-Mt. Lookout) has met with interested parties but any compromise remains elusive.

The bill fundamentally changes how physicians and APRNs work together to treat patients. It is OOA’s position that patients are best served with a physician-led, team-based approach.

Tell your state representative to maintain patient safety for Ohioans and urge them to vote no on HB 177! Make your voice heard!

Need CME?  

Earn CME credit from your home or office—or wherever (and whenever) it’s convenient for you. The OOA participates in a collaboration of state osteopathic societies to provide quality online CME. And you receive a discount on OOA-produced lectures.

Please remember the State Medical Board of Ohio has only delayed enforcement of CME requirements; the requirements are not waived.

Log on to www.DOcme.org and use the discount code OOAFamily for 35% off the list price for all of OOA’s 13 on-demand programs.

Information to Become a COVID-19 Vaccine Provider

If you want to administer the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available, it is critically important to enroll as soon as possible due to accelerated federal timelines. Please note that not every provider needs to have ultra-cold storage capabilities to be a COVID-19 vaccine provider.

To submit an application to become a COVID-19 vaccination provider, sign up online at the State of Ohio’s “OH|ID” and follow the steps outlined in this ODH instruction guide. Use the enrollment checklist to gather the necessary information. If you do not already have an OH|ID account, the first step will be to create one which must be reviewed and approved, usually within 24 hours.

For questions, contact the ODH COVID-19 Vaccination Provider Enrollment Team at covidvaccine@odh.ohio.gov.

Seeking Pediatric Surgeon for Committee

The Trauma Committee of the State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services (EMFTS)  is seeking nominations for a board-certified surgeon who actively practices pediatric trauma surgery.

The Trauma Committee was created to advise and assist the EMFTS in all matters regarding trauma care and the Ohio Trauma System. Its membership is spelled out in Revised Code. The Committee generally meets every other month.

Candidates should submit a CV to OOA Executive Director Matt Harney at mattharney@OhioDO.org.