Wayne County call center ready for COVID-19 questions
The Wayne County Health Department has announced a partnership with the Wayne County Emergency Management Agency to establish a Joint Information Center (JIC) to gather and disseminate information related to the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Local hospitals, fire, social service agencies, EMA, health department, volunteer organizations and others have been participating in county-wide conference calls to discuss COVID-19. One outcome of this is the identified need to establish a public call line where people can get accurate, local information.
The United Way of Wayne and Holmes Counties (UWWH) will utilize WHIRE (the Wayne Holmes Information Referral Exchange) telephone number to field and answer the calls. This line is already the resource and information number for Wayne and Holmes Counties. Calling WHIRE will help alleviate the overwhelming number of calls currently going to the hospitals and health department.
Live local operators will be available from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday for people who have questions about the coronavirus. The WHIRE number is (330) 263-6363. In the event you receive a busy signal please leave a message and you will receive a call back.
The UWWH is also accepting financial donations to help with the community effort — proceeds will stay local. If you would like to donate to assist affected families in our area, contact UWWH at 330-264-5576.
There are five steps to take right now to help slow the spread of this virus: 1, Wash your hands often; 2, do not touch your face; 3, stay at least 6 feet away from people; 4, cover your mouth/nose when you cough or sneeze; 5, stay home if you are sick.