COVID-19 VACCINATION OPPORTUNITIES
To find vaccine providers by zip code where you live, work or wherever it's most convenient for you, visit:
https://gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov/
or click this image:
For up to the minute updates in Ohio and Harrison County, visit:
and
https://www.facebook.com/harrisoncohealthdepartment/
Link (2/5/2020): ODH monitoring a new PUI & new guidelines for sharing PUI information - ODH PRESS RELEASE
Link (1/30/2020): WHO Emergency Committee on Novel Coronavirus declares "public health emergency of international concern"
Link (1/28/2020): CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to China.
Link (1/28/2020): ODH Novel Coronavirus Fact Sheet
Link (1/24/2020): OFFICIAL ODH PRESS RELEASE
Link (1/24/2020): ODH Director, Amy Acton, Director's Journal Entry
Latest developments:
- Continue to find the latest updates at www.coronavirus.ohio.gov. As this is a rapidly changing situation, this is the best way to get the most up-to-date information.
- The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has opened a call center to answer questions regarding coronavirus (COVID-19). The call center will be open 7 days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and can be reached at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH), in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local partners, is closely monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illnesses caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, in December. Health experts are concerned because little is known about this new virus and because of its potential to cause severe illness in some people.
The outbreak has been declared a public health emergency by the U.S. and the World Health Organization. ODH has issued a health alert, and Amy Acton, MD, MPH, Director of ODH, has declared COVID-19, a Class A reportable infectious disease. This means any confirmed or possible case must be reported immediately to a local health district, which will report it to ODH. It will then be reported to the CDC. Required reporters include health care providers, laboratory administrators, and any individuals having knowledge of a person with COVID-19.
COVID-19 is primarily spread through respiratory droplets, which means to become infected, people generally must be within 6 feet of someone who is contagious and come into contact with these droplets. Symptoms appear within two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, runny nose, and difficulty breathing. Reported cases have ranged from mild illness (similar to a common cold) to severe pneumonia that requires hospitalization.
There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19 infection.
ODH is actively working with local health departments and health care providers to identify possible cases of COVID-19 and to continue 24/7 monitoring, prevention, and control for all infectious diseases.
To help prevent infection with COVID-19, take the precautions you normally would during cold and flu season:
- Frequently wash your hands for 20 seconds or more with soapy water. If unavailable, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home while you are sick (except to visit a health care professional) and avoid close contact with others.
- Cover your mouth/nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
- Get adequate sleep and eat well-balanced meals to ensure a healthy immune system.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Please continue to show care and compassion to all neighbors whether they be sick or not, recent travelers or not. Be sure to quell actions that could perpetuate a stigma attached to COVID-19.