Board approves Dr. Hoddinott’s retirement, but with intent to rehire
Logan County Health Commissioner Dr. Boyd Hoddinott offered a glimpse during the Wednesday afternoon board of health meeting regarding the various modes of transmission for the most recent COVID-19 cases in Logan County.
In less than a week, the health commissioner said the county has seen an uptick in 10 cases, and now the county’s total stands at 84 cases, as of Tuesday. However, he noted that the majority of new cases are not related.
“We’re not seeing a community outbreak or a cluster of cases,” he said.
Among the 10 new coronavirus cases, three individuals represented one household. Additionally, two others had attended a wedding several hours away. Another individual had traveled to Texas, and another person had acquired COVID-19 from a co-worker.
Two of the cases involved an unknown mode of transmission, Dr. Hoddinott said.
Among the 84 cases of the virus in Logan County are 46 confirmed cases, 24 probable cases and 14 antibody positive tests. Fifty-seven individuals have recovered from the coronavirus, one death has been reported in the past month, and 26 are still considered active cases, health district officials said.
As the pandemic continues, the health commissioner urged the continued use of social distancing practices, wearing face coverings in indoor spaces and people making their own personal decisions weighing the risks of participating in various activities.
“Masks and social distancing could really be more effective than the first vaccines that we’re going to see,” he said.
“Unfortunately, this is not going away anytime soon, so we have to learn to deal with it. Everyone has to make a personal decision regarding the risks that they’re willing to take.
“Out of the 46,000 people who reside in our county, we are thankful that are case numbers are not higher. We appreciate the good work that our contract tracers are doing to work on these cases.”
Last month, the board approved the employment of a contact tracing coordinator, Stephanie Mosley, and contact tracers Laura Monaghan and Kim Hassel to be paid through a $48,760 ODH Bureau of Infectious Diseases grant issued under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security grant. Wednesday,
In addition at this month’s meeting, the board accepted additional supplemental funding of $30,866 for the same purpose of contract tracing, for a grant that continues through June 2021.
Following a short executive session, the board approved a motion to accept Dr. Hoddinott’s retirement resignation, effective Sept.. 30, but with the intent to rehire him as health commissioner Oct. 1 on a retire/rehire basis.
The board will conduct a hearing during their September meeting regarding the health commissioner’s retire/rehire arrangement. He has served as the Logan County health commissioner since 2000.
Members also approved the retirement resignation of LuAnn Albers, emergency preparedness coordinator/public information officer, effective Sept. 4. She has more than 20 years of experience working in public health and has worked at the LCHD for 2 1/2 years.
During the environmental health report, the board approved a Water Pollution Control Loan Fund project bid of $8,184.38 from Roth Excavating to replace a failed home sewage system at the residence of Raymond and Colleen Jackson, 8961 Township Road 207, DeGraff. The project qualifies for a grant payment of 85 percent from the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund through the Ohio EPA.
The board also approved a bid of $10,250 from W.D. Excavating for a Water Pollution Control Loan Fund project bid to replace a failed home sewage system at the residence of Ric E. Valencia, 989 Heidi Road, Bellefontaine. The project qualifies for 50 percent funding through the program.
Additional funding is available to area property owners with a failed sewage system through the Ohio EPA grant received by the health district. Depending on household income and the number of occupants, homeowners with failed sewage systems may qualify for 50, 85 and 100 percent of the cost for a home sewage system repair, replacement or connection to sanitary sewer. Application information is available at www.loganhealth.org.
In other action, the board:
• recognized environmental health employee Alex Zaborniak as the employee of the month;
• were provided with an in-depth Immunization Coverage Disparity report for Logan County by nurse Kate Brentlinger through her work with the Get Vaccinated Ohio Grant, which detailed goals of increasing educational efforts regarding vaccinations, working with school nurses to increase vaccination rates among students and offering additional outreach clinics at school sites;
• heard an update regarding the Narcan training program, with 247 people trained this year and 258 Narcan kits distributed; and issued reminders that previous Narcan doses distributed last year are likely expiring; for new doses or to sign up for the online training, contact Kelli Parr, (937) 651-6204; and
• approved a policy change regarding sick time carry-over from previous public service.
The next meeting is 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12.