Health commissioner issued 6-month contract as part of transition plan
The Logan County Health District is continuing to ramp up its COVID-19 vaccination efforts, with a larger off-site clinic planned for next week, and officials said at the Wednesday afternoon board of health meeting that the county also is starting to see its monthly cases of the virus begin to decrease.
Nursing Director Kelly Reaver said for January, the total cases of COVID-19 reported in the county were 772, a drop from the 880 reported in December and 958 cases reported in November, the record-high number of monthly cases for the county.
“We suspect that February’s numbers will be even a little lower, which is a welcome relief,” she said, noting that the Ohio Department of Health is still assisting with contract tracing duties. Individuals with a positive test will receive an automated phone call and a letter in the mail.
Relating to the COVID-19 vaccinations, the nursing director said between 1,200 to 1,300 doses of the vaccine have been dispensed by the health district thus far, including some second doses of the vaccine that were administered starting Jan. 28.
In total, the LCHD has received approximately 2,200 doses over the last six weeks, which includes vaccines from both Moderna and Pfizer. The two types of the vaccine each have different preparation methods and varying lengths of time required between each dose, which does make vaccine administration complicated, officials noted.
“The scheduling logistics have been difficult, considering we have to account for whether it’s a first dose or second dose and also the manufacturer,” Reaver said. “We also have to track all of the vaccines by lot number; it’s a complicated process.”
“Unfortunately, it’s not quite as simple as the mass vaccination flu clinics we’ve done in the past, where we could vaccinate as many as 1,200 people in one day. With the flu vaccine, it’s a one dose vaccination and it’s done,” Logan County Health Commissioner Dr. Boyd Hoddinott said.
Despite the challenges, the nursing director said the agency is able to serve up to about 150 people a day in the on site clinics offered Tuesdays and Thursday, by appointment only, at the 310 S. Main St. facility.
Next Tuesday, the LCHD also is able to host an off-site clinic for about 250 individuals who have scheduled appointments. Community Health & Wellness Partners is offering space in its Bellefontaine medical office to the health district specifically for the clinic.
Reaver said community partnerships like this have been so helpful throughout this process, also including Mary Rutan Hospital’s commitment to vaccinate high-risk individuals as well.
In addition, a number of individuals have stepped up to volunteer at the agency following last month’s board meeting that included a call for volunteers to assist with vaccination efforts. LCHD officials said they have been overwhelmed at the public’s response to this urgent need.
“We’ve had about eight nurses added to our volunteer pool, along with about 20 other volunteers,” Reaver said. “It’s moved us to tears, all of the wonderful people who have stepped up in our community. We truly can’t thank them enough.”
Relating to the waiting list for vaccinations at the LCHD, individuals in phase 1B are asked to utilize the online waitlist tool available at www.loganhealth.org.
For those who do not have access to the website, call the more direct line (937) 592-9040, Option 6, to be added to the waiting list. Officials noted that using the website is the fastest and preferred method of being added to the waiting list.
COVID-19 vaccinations are also available in Logan County through Mary Rutan Hospital and Kroger Pharmacy for individuals on the current phase of the Ohio Department of Health’s vaccine distribution plan.
Also during the meeting, members convened in a 20-minute executive session to discuss Dr. Hoddinott’s new contract and the back-up medical director contract.
Following the session, the board extended a six-month contract to Dr. Hoddinott, at a rate of pay of $5,000 per month, beginning April 1.
A back-up medical director contract also was extended to Dr. Kristen Braig, with $1 per year due, or $75 per hour if her services are needed.
Dr. Hoddinott has served as health commissioner since 2000, and the board previously approved his move to a retire-rehire status beginning Oct. 1 so that he can utilize retirement benefits.
Last year, the board extended him a one-year contract for an annual salary of $47,500.
The health commissioner said as he looks to pursue full retirement and with the shorter-term contract this year, he wants to assist the board in finding a medical director to replace him and work alongside Deputy Health Commissioner Donna Peachey to help train the individual in the upcoming months.
The next meeting is 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 10.