Logan County recently marked a milestone in terms of its COVID-19 cases that is more than a year in the making — achieving six days within the last month where no new cases of the virus were reported, Logan County Health District Nursing Director Kelly Reaver told the board of health during their Wednesday afternoon meeting.
“This is the first time since April of 2020 that we’ve had days with no new cases reported,” she said.
From May 9 through June 8, a total of 59 COVID-19 cases were reported in the county, including 31 confirmed cases and 28 suspected cases.
Reaver and Logan County Health Commissioner Dr. Boyd Hoddinott said this comes as a relief to the agency staff members.
“We’re back on track with some of our regular programs with COVID-19 winding down,” Dr. Hoddinott said.
“The nurses are starting to feel some normalcy and are beginning to get caught up on routine tasks that we had to put on hold at the height of COVID-19,” Reaver said, noting that nursing staff are able to conduct regular vaccination clinics again, in addition to administering COVID-19 vaccinations.
Relating to the COVID-19 vaccines, the health district has expanded its walk-in clinic availability and also now has both the two-dose Pfizer and one-dose Johnson & Johnson versions readily available.
Walk-in hours are 9 a.m. to noon Monday and Wednesday and 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays at the LCHD office, 310 S. Main St. Participants can also schedule an appointment with LCHD at https://gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov/.
Those ages 12-17 must have a parent or guardian present at the time of COVID-19 vaccination and are only eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine. Parents and participants are recommended to bring their driver’s license or photo ID and insurance card (if available).
Reaver said the demand for COVID-19 vaccinations has also dwindled lately. Volunteer nurses, several of whom are retired from the health district, have been especially helpful in keeping this program going, including traveling to off-site locations to administer the vaccine.
Those served off-site have included home-bound individuals, area business employees and also inmates at the Logan County Jail, the nursing director said. Individuals who are homebound may call (937) 651-6244 to arrange in-home vaccinations.
Also during the meeting, members convened in executive session to interview a candidate for the health commissioner position as part of the transition plan as Dr. Hoddinott works toward retirement.
No action was taken after the session, but officials said they are looking to potentially extend a new health commissioner contract at the next regular meeting — slated for 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 14.
Earlier this year, the board issued a six-month contract to Dr. Hoddinott, which continues through Oct. 1. He has served in the position since 2000.
Following his retirement date, Dr. Hoddinott is considering the possibility as serving as a medical director alongside a new health commissioner. In that scenario, that board would be able to hire a health commissioner who holds a master of public health degree.