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LISBON -- As vaccinations of health care workers and those in long-term care facilities continue to happen, Columbiana County had three more deaths and 398 new cases in the past week.
Public information officer Laura Fauss of the county health department confirmed Friday there have been deaths of two men, ages 81 and 93, who were both members of the general community, and a 96-year-old woman who was a resident of a long-term care facility. There have now been 125 deaths from the coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic.
There have also been 6,582 positive cases, although Fauss noted we have appeared to plateau with numbers not rising as much as they previously did.
Columbiana County is one of the 84 counties in Ohio to remain at the red level. That is due to the high incidence of case numbers, which currently shows Columbiana County has had 558 cases per 100,000 residents over the past two weeks. While that is still way above the threshold of 100 cases per 100,000 residents in two weeks, it has definitely decreased from the high number of 851 cases per 100,000 over a two-week period which was reported the week of Thanksgiving. Until Columbiana County drops below the 100 cases per 100,000 residents mark, the county will remain level three red, despite meeting only two of the seven markers.
Health Commissioner Wes Vins points out the high incidence still means there is a big risk when leaving the house. Cases were expected to rise after Christmas and New Year's, but at this point that has not happened, which may indicate residents in the county did not gather for the holidays as much as was feared.
While the federal government has been supplying vaccine for long-term care facilities and group homes, Vins said the partners of the Columbiana County COVID-19 Vaccination Task Force have been administering the vaccine to the phase 1A residents, who includes health care workers on the front lines and those living in group homes with developmental disabilities. It is asked that those in that group who have not received a vaccine yet contact a health department if they are interested in receiving it as soon as possible. Another vaccine clinic is being hosted at the county Career and Technical Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13, for those in the group, who have not yet been vaccinated.
According to the state's website, 1,547 people have had their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine in Columbiana County. That is 1.52 percent of the population. The state's numbers do not reflect if those are all county residents or just people who had received their first doses of vaccine here.
While the governor has indicated the next group would be those 80 and older, Vins and Fauss indicated the plan will be to start with those 85 and older. The drive-up clinic will be held at the new Columbiana County Vaccination Complex at the fairgrounds and information about what days and times will be released through the media. There will be no preregistration so there is no reason to call ahead.
Vins said he is very excited the new building is ready in time for these upcoming vaccine clinics, which will allow the oldest and vulnerable members of the population to receive the vaccine without even getting out of their vehicles.
In the near future, vaccine will also be available at pharmacies and other offices. Applications are currently being made by those facilities which want to administer the vaccine and the health department would like to encourage this so the vaccine will be available to more people.
Vins noted right now he wants to assure people that the vaccines are being given as they are being received and not sitting on shelves here in Columbiana County. He wants to thank their partners, including the Career Center, for helping to set up clinics at their location.
With the county and city health departments involved in vaccinations, tracing cases and other duties, Fauss asks for those who need questions answered to check at the state health department website coronavirus.ohio.gov or call the state's call center 1-833-427-5634.
djohnson@mojonews.com