As the first cases of the coronavirus trickled into Logan County toward the end of March, contract tracers working for the Logan County Health District handled about one case at a time, Nursing Director Kelly Reaver recalled Wednesday at the Logan County District Board of Health meeting.
Now with 56 active cases reported in the county as of Tuesday and the recent spike in COVID-19 locally, the phones at the call center located at the health district’s meeting room are constantly ringing and contract tracers and nursing staff are working long hours to complete their tasks, oftentimes forgoing breaks and their lunch period.
The workload can become overwhelming, as Reaver related that with just one case, there might be as many as 25 to 50 contacts of the affected individual that need to be called. The phone calls take place throughout the work day, but also including some nights and weekends.
A $48,760 ODH Bureau of Infectious Diseases grant issued awarded to the agency has provided for the employment of a contact tracing coordinator, Stephanie Moxley, and contact tracers Kim Hassel and Laurie Monaghan. Weaver introduced the three employees during the health board meeting, when each of the individuals had a break in between phone calls.
“We wouldn’t be able to do it without them,” the nursing director said, sitting in front of a white board used to track each of the cases each day of the week. “They have been learning very quickly, are extremely dedicated and are greatly appreciated.”
In addition, volunteers from the health district, Medical Reserve Corps and Ohio Department of Health are still being used for contract tracing, with volunteers able to complete the work from home.
Moxley said she recently recruited several volunteers for the cause, including recent retirees.
“I think it’s important, and we really appreciate the volunteers stepping up to help us in this very busy time. ”
Wednesday, the health board also accepted a $38,515 increase in the ODH grant to provide for the hire of additional contract tracers.
“We need to continue increasing our contact tracing ability as numbers rise,” Weaver said, relating that the grant increase is helpful with some of the ODH volunteers heading back to college this fall.
The COVID-19 call center located at the health district also provides a resource where individuals and doctor’s offices can call to ask questions regarding testing and for other information. The number is (937) 592-9040, option 1, and the call center is staffed from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Individuals who have coronavirus symptoms are asked to first call their primary care provider.
In other action, the board:
• recognized nurse Kate Brentlinger as the employee of the month, noting her COVID-19 response work, Get Vaccinated Grant endeavors and research and other efforts on behalf of the agency;
• appointed Bailey McGill as the new public information officer/emergency preparedness coordinator, effective Sept. 7, upon the previously announced retirement of LuAnn Albers;
• approved the hire of Sonya Eaton, environmental health clerk/deputy registrar, replacing McGilll’s former position, effective Aug. 24;
• approved the permanent hire of environmental technician Arie Pequignot,
• approved the hire of a new outreach coordinator to be paid through the health district’s Narcan grant;
• ordered the Four Seasons Campground pool, 11047 State Route 366, Lakeview, and Indian Hollow Campground pool, 10601 N. State Route 235, Lakeview, to correct a violation of a state requirement for pool operators to have a dedicated emergency telephone accessible to the public and dedicated to dialing 911 at the pool premises, within seven days after the receipt of the order, or face the suspension of the pool operating license, with health inspectors noting that each of the campgrounds have received multiple orders about this violation;
• approved a variance request for Tom and Carol Schick, 11539 Circle Drive, Blackhawk, Lakeview, for a housing addition that will be 4 feet 6 inches from the existing well, as the new construction will not create a greater noncompliance issue;
• approved a variance request from Henry Wagler on behalf of his son-in-law, Marvin Graber, 7703 Township Road 207, DeGraff, for a length of a trench, leaching trench sizing, etc., for utilizing a previously permitted subsurface sand filter to create a gray water recycling system for a privy;
• accepted the $205,740 Women, Infants and Children Program Notice of Award for fiscal year 2021; and
• approved the 2021 budget.
The next meeting is 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, which will include a hearing regarding the potential rehire of Logan County Health Commissioner Dr. Boyd Hoddinott following his retirement, effective Sept. 30.