COVID-19 numbers drop again in Huron County

NORWALK — Huron County saw another big drop in its COVID-19 numbers last week. The reporting period Jan. 28 to Feb. 3 has recorded a count of 172 cases, which is a significant decrease from 341 for the previous reporting period. The average age of cases for this reporting period has increased from 40 to 43, with the highest number of cases for this week reported in the 31 to 40 age group. All Huron County zip codes reported cases this week with the highest infection rate in the New London (44851) zip code. Please Note: Case counts included in this report are estimates for the reporting period based on reports generated from the Ohio Department of Health (ODH)'s Ohio Disease Reporting System (ODRS). These data may be impacted by several factors, including but not limited to: • Lack of reporting individual cases (for example, if a self-administered at-home test kit results positive but individual case information is not reported to HCPH or recorded in the ODRS, this case will not be counted by ODH or included in this report); and • Reporting delays with the electronic reporting of cases, especially during surge periods. Other notable updates this week include: The Ohio Department of Health recently released updated recommendations to local health departments to shift from universal case investigation and contact tracing to a cluster/outbreak model. The full guidance can be found at: https://odh.ohio.gov/static/docs/memo-contact-tracing- final-012622.pdf. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently updated COVID-19 quarantine and isolation guidelines; the CDC's website page, last updated January 27, 2022, details what to do in the event of exposure to COVID-19 or if you have tested positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status. The updated guidance can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019- ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html. The CDC has also recently updated its recommendations for boosters. The updated guidance on CDC's webpage, last updated February 2, 2022, can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html. Primary COVID-19 Vaccinations Everyone 5 years and older is now eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccination. To learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html. Huron County Public Health (HCPH) currently has the Pfizer, Moderna and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine available for appointments at HCPH's office in Norwalk for individuals aged 5+ interested in receiving the Pfizer vaccine, or Moderna and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine for individuals age 18+. Interested individuals can schedule a vaccination or booster appointment at HCPH by calling 419-668-1652 ext. 241. Please bring a valid ID and insurance information to your vaccination appointment. Individuals must be 5+ to receive the Pfizer vaccine, and 18+ to receive the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Individuals under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present with them at the appointment. COVID-19 At Home Test Kit Update Although HCPH does not have test kits available for public distribution at this time, kits may be accessed in the following ways: • Each household nationwide is eligible to order four free at-home COVID-19 test kits at https://www.covidtests.gov/. • Eligible communities can order additional free, rapid at-home COVID-19 test kits at https://www.accesscovidtests.org/. • While testing supply chains are challenged, over-the-counter rapid testing kits can still be purchased at many locations, such as pharmacies and grocery stores. Private health insurance will reimburse the cost of purchasing self-tests up to a certain amount each month. • Testing is also available at many urgent care locations, community health centers, retail locations, and pop- up sites. The ODH website features a searchable map of testing locations at https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/dashboards/other-resources/testing-ch-centers. Continued Updates HCPH reminds residents to continue to use reputable sources for information about COVID-19, including www.huroncohealth.com, www.coronavirus.ohio.gov and www.cdc.gov. Statewide COVID-19 case data can be found on the Ohio Department of Health's COVID-19 Dashboard at: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/dashboards. COVID-19 vaccination data can be found on the Ohio Department of Health's COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard at: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/dashboards/covid-19-vaccine/covid-19-vaccination- dashboard.