CCHD: At least 1 in 30 Clinton Countians with COVID-19, cases quickly rising even before Thanksgiving’s wake

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WILMINGTON — Clinton County reports exactly 1,400 COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began, but even that number is rising quickly as “cases are still under review” by the Ohio Department of Health and the Clinton County Health District.

This statistic means that about 1 of every 30 Clinton Countians has, or did have, coronavirus; the county’s population is around 42,000.

The CCHD reports 549 active cases, with 11 new hospitalizations in the past week.

Clinton Memorial Hospital indeed reports that, as of Friday, they “have seen an expected increase in hospitalizations.”

“We have numerous cases in our queue to be investigated,” said Clinton County Health Commissioner Pamela Walker-Bauer. “The cases numbers alone are incredible to me, but what is really alarming is the new hospitalizations in one week.

“Hospitalizations are a lagging indicator running about two weeks behind case increases,” she stated. “We are just starting to see the cases roll in from Thanksgiving.

“We have dark weeks ahead and even darker months,” Walker-Bauer warned.

She also reiterated that the CCHD numbers won’t match up with what is reported on the state’s COVID-19 dashboard, saying, “the ODH Dashboard is falling further behind our numbers.”

Walker-Bauer added, “I don’t expect to have another report until next week. The team here needs some rest.”

At CMH

With the documented increase in confirmed positive cases, “Hospitals in our region, including ours, have seen an expected increase in hospitalizations,” said Matt Gunderman, CMH Senior Director of Emergency, Cardiac, IR & Radiology Services,

“Currently, CMH is treating more than 10 patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 in our hospital,” he stated. “This number can change rapidly. We monitor hospital capacity within every department each day, closely tracking fluctuations in emergency, acute and critical care areas and regularly reporting our capacity in these areas to the state.

“At this time, our hospital has adequate capacity to meet patient needs, including in critical care/intensive care.”

He said CMH “continues to take all the necessary precautions to protect our patients and staff from COVID-19, including limiting entry points to the facility, screening all individuals for symptoms of COVID-19, universal masking, and maintaining a strict zero-visitation protocol.”

If you are having only mild or moderate symptoms you should contact your healthcare provider, Gunderman said.

From the CDC

CMH provided the below information from the CDC.

When to seek emergency medical attention:

Look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

• Trouble breathing

• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest

• New confusion

• Inability to wake or stay awake

• Bluish lips or face

NOTE: This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

CMH reminds the public to do their part to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by practicing social distancing, avoiding large gatherings, washing your hands regularly, and wearing a mask or face covering while in public. Please do not put off the care you need during the pandemic. CMH has procedures in place to ensure that it is safe to come to the hospital should you or your family need care.

These are the numbers reported by the Clinton County Health District as of Thursday night.
https://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2020/12/web1_cc-covid-stats-friday.jpgThese are the numbers reported by the Clinton County Health District as of Thursday night. CCHD
Numbers rising fast even before Thanksgiving’s wake

By Tom Barr

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