Wayne Health Dept. issues steps to slow virus spread
Wayne County is experiencing a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases, and the number of hospitalizations locally and within the region have increased to a point of concern.
Additional guidance, advisement, warning and intervention is warranted to mitigate case growth and preserve hospital capacity. It is more important than ever to follow guidance from local, state and federal officials on how to stop and slow the spread of the COVID-19 disease.
Taking the steps listed below is critical to preventing the spread of the virus, protecting the lives of you and your loved ones, and preserving acute and other healthcare services and capacity.
Stay-at-home advisory
Beginning Monday, Nov. 23, the commissioner of health for Wayne County advised all residents to stay at home to the greatest extent possible due to the rise of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the county. Residents are advised to only leave home to go to work or school or for essential needs such as seeking medical care, going to the grocery store or pharmacy, picking up food, or receiving deliveries.
Additionally, residents are strongly advised to avoid traveling in and out of the state and forego having guests in their homes during the upcoming holiday season.
This advisory shall remain in place for two-consecutive incubation periods of the SARS-Co V-2 virus (28 days) or until such time as the health department determines a change to the guidance is appropriate.
Adherence to all current orders
All orders set forth by Gov. R. Michael DeWine, the Ohio Department of Health, county and the municipalities shall continue to be enforced and adhered to by all residents.
Advisory on indoor and outdoor meetings and social events
Residents are advised to limit meetings and social events to 10 individuals. The advice applies to both indoor and outdoor events, birthday parties, and other events that may occur at a banquet hall, event venue or other similar space. A meeting or social event that is outside of normal operations is advised to have no more than 10 individuals.
Private gatherings
Residents are strongly advised to not have any indoor gatherings with guests in their homes unless they are essential workers (plumbing, heating, electrical).
Response to illness and exposure — isolation and quarantine
Residents that are exhibiting any signs and symptoms of COVID-19 must shelter in their place of residence. They shall not go to their workplace or congregate setting and shall only leave their place of residence to seek necessary clinical care or for essential life-sustaining needs such as obtaining medicine or food.
COVID-19 symptoms include, but are not limited to, new onset of fever, cough, shortness of breath, congestion or runny nose, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, body aches or unusual fatigue.
Residents diagnosed with COVID-19 by a laboratory test of their medical provider must isolate for 10 days from the date of their symptom onset or from the date of test collection (until you are not experiencing symptoms). In the home, sick or infected individuals should separate themselves from others by staying in a specific "sick room" or area and use a separate bathroom if available.
Residents that have been identified as a contact to an individual diagnosed with COVID-19 should quarantine for one full incubation period (14 days) from the date of last contact. Individuals in quarantine should stay home, separate from others, monitor their health and follow all instructions from the Wayne County Health Department.
Residents who are either confirmed positive or a close contact should not wait to hear from the health department and immediately follow the guidance as described. Information about isolation and quarantine can be found on the website of the health department.
Employers and schools
Employers are strongly encouraged to identify and accommodate as many employees as possible to work from home during this time. All businesses and local governments are advised to transition as many transactions and functions as possible to online. Public and private k-12 schools are advised to continue to maintain awareness of case numbers both within their district buildings and the general community. Shifts to learning modality could become necessary.