Case Counts: With great sadness, the Union County Health Department shares 5 additional COVID-19 related deaths have been reported among Union County residents. In total since the pandemic began, 13 COVID-19 related deaths have been reported. The ages of these lives lost have been 60-69 years (4 deaths), 70-79 years (2 deaths), and 80+ (7 deaths).
As of Dec. 01, the Union County Health Department is reporting 1,935 Union County residents have had a reported case of COVID-19 since the pandemic began. 1,219 (63%) of these cumulative cases were reported from Nov. 02 to Dec. 01, with 222 cases reported in the previous 7 days. 466 Union County residents are currently actively ill and in isolation with reported infections.
83 Union County residents have required hospitalization related to COVID-19 since the pandemic began. 48 (58%) of these hospitalizations occurred between Nov. 2 and Dec. 01, with 11 coming in the previous 12 days. The average age of a Union County resident with a reported COVID-19 infection is 41.5 with the age range being less than 1 year of age to 98. 90% of residents with a reported infection have been able to manage their symptoms at home, 5% have been asymptomatic, and 5% have required hospital care or resulted in death.
Please note, the community data presented by our epidemiologists excludes cases in person incarcerated at the state prison in Marysville.
You can view the full data update from our epidemiologists here: https://unioncountycovid.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Epi-Infographic-12-1-2020.pdf
Vaccine Update: The U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended Tuesday that health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities should be the first priority group to receive a COVID-19 vaccine once a vaccine receives an emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). While states can determine their own priority groups, the recommendations from the ACIP often serve as the foundation.
Two companies, Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna, have filed for an Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA for a COVID-19 vaccine. Early data from clinical trials on each vaccine suggest both are safe and highly effective, with each preventing 95% of symptomatic infections in people who have volunteered to test them. Both vaccines currently require a booster dose several weeks after the initial dose is administered.
The FDA is scheduled to meet on Dec. 10 & 17 to decide on Pfizer and Moderna’s Emergency Use Authorization applications. Once one or more vaccines are granted an Emergency Use Authorization, ACIP will reconvene to discuss specific recommendations for the use of each approved vaccine, based upon the unique qualities and effectiveness studies of that particular vaccine.
The progress made thus far across the world on vaccine development has been tremendous. Getting a safe and effective vaccine to healthcare workers and high-risk populations is inching closer by the day. Current estimates are that a widespread vaccination for the general population will likely be available by spring of 2021.
Learn more about the FDA’s process for granting Emergency Use Authorization for COVID vaccines at https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/vaccines/emergency-use-authorization-vaccines-explained
COVID-19 Testing Update: As the weather turns colder and snowier, the community drive thru COVID-19 testing is moving to the Union County Fairgrounds, 845 N. Main St, Marysville. The new location will begin next week, Dec. 7. The change in location will allow event staff and volunteers to have some additional protection from the elements. Appointments are strongly urged for testing and can be made at https://unioncountycovid.org/testing.
Mask Enforcement: Our sanitarians continue to follow up on reports from residents regarding businesses or organizations that are not enforcing the Ohio mask mandate. Most of our businesses are doing a good job of adapting their operations to protect customers and employees. We appreciate this support from our business community. Residents are encouraged to first ask to speak to a manager at the business to share any concerns they may have. If residents are not comfortable doing this or not given the opportunity to do this, then reports can be made at contact@uchd.net or at (937) 642-2053. Please remember that the Ohio mask mandate does allow for limited exceptions. With each complaint we do follow up with the business to see if an allowable exception for the employee is on file.