TOLEDO, Ohio — Here are the latest updates from the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department regarding the coronavirus pandemic in our community:
Sunday
New numbers:
As of Friday, the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department reported 1,317 confirmed and 70 probable cases of coronavirus, making a total of 1,387 in the county.
There have been 103 confirmed and 17 probable COVID-related deaths, for a total of 120.
Cases include 562 male cases and 825 female cases.
Ages range from 3 to 101 years old.
Saturday
New numbers:
As of Friday, the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department reported 1,280 confirmed and 70 probable cases of coronavirus, making a total of 1,350 in the county.
There have been 103 confirmed and 17 probable COVID-related deaths, for a total of 120.
Friday
New numbers:
As of Friday, the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department reported 1,228 confirmed and 48 probable cases of coronavirus, making a total of 1,276 in the county.
There have been 103 confirmed and 17 probable COVID-related deaths, for a total of 120.
The new death represents a female in her 80s.
So far, there have been 526 male cases and 750 female cases.
The ages range from 3 to 101 years old.
Here is a look at the number of first responders in isolation and quarantine:
COVID-19 Helpline
Zgodzinski said that the county's COVID-19 helpline numbers have changed. Those numbers are:
- 419-251-4000
- 419-251-5355
They will be available from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Zgodzinski said that if you call outside of those hours, you can leave a message and someone will get back to you the next day. However, if you require emergency help, you should call 911.
Reopening Ohio
Toledo-Lucas County Health Commissioner Dr. Eric Zgodzinski did confirm Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine extended his stay-at-home order until May 29, but clarified it will look a little different.
Here is a look at the current phase one plan:
- May 1: Health care will start to reopen, DeWine said. All health procedures that do not require an overnight stay in a hospital can resume. Dentists and veterinarians can also begin "full steam ahead" on Friday, May 1.
- May 4: Manufacturing, distribution and construction will be opened back up. General offices also can reopen on May 4.
- May 12: Consumer retail and services can reopen.
Zgodzinski also noted that dog groomers are able to open up at 11:59 p.m. tonight.
A number of local entities worked together to create a reference guide for industries as the reopen called "Business Reboot." You can find that guide here.
Zgodzinksi stressed that business owners should use the guide to help them understand how to safely reopen. They should work now to put together that plan so it is ready to go when they begin to get back into gear.
As more businesses begin to reopen, it is important that they continue to follow the health and safety guidelines put forth by state officials. Residents can still report businesses in non-compliance by calling the health department at 419-213-4161 and pressing option four to leave a message. Businesses can also use that number to reach out with their concerns as they work to find the best practices moving forward.
Masks
Zgodzinski said that we are still going to be dealing with coronavirus for the next few months to a year, so we should continue to fight the spread the best way we can.
A good way to do that, is to wear face coverings.
While the governor has not mandated masks in public spaces, except for those working, Zgodzinski encouraged everyone to really consider wearing one when they go out.
He said many people are asymptomatic and can still pass on the virus, so wearing a mask can be helpful to prevent the wearer from spreading it to others. Even a scarf or bandana can help prevent spreading some of those droplets to somebody else
Zgodzinski said he wants people to understand that leaders are working on ways to get masks to those who need one, who may not otherwise have access.
The city of Toledo just got a grant that will allow them to give out masks to the most vulnerable populations.
Zgodzinski said that in the same way that we need to wear shoes and a shirt to enter, we should be prepared to wear masks as we head into area stores.
donateTLC
Tim Jakacki with donateTLC said that the new initiative has had great success thus far.
They've had the business community, schools and health care offices come forward immediately to donate personal protective equipment to help those fighting on the front lines.
Donations up to 400,000 items, 200,000 of which were masks and other PPE from the Ohio Department of Health have come in since donateTLC's inception five weeks ago.
Some of the organizations initially receiving these goods include first responders, police and health care workers. However, that has since expanded to essential agencies like the homelessness board and the Area Office on Aging
Over 160 organizations have benefited from these donations, Jakacki said.
Toledo-Lucas County Homelessness Board
The homelessness board supports a number of shelters throughout the community.
They have staff working every day directly with people in congregate living situations, who are in need of supplies to stay safe. Items given to them from donateTLC have helped this vulnerable community find access to needed safety items.
Thursday
New Numbers:
On Thursday, the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department reported 1,202 confirmed and 48 probable cases of coronavirus, for a total of 1,250.
There have been 102 confirmed and 17 probable COVID-related deaths, for a total of 119 in the county.
The most recent deaths reported represent two males in their 60s, one male in his 70s, three males in their 80s, one male in his 90s, two females in their 60s, one female in her 70s, two females in their 80s and three females in her 90s.
The age range of cases is from 3 to 101 years old.
There have been 519 male and 731 female cases in Lucas County, per health department data.
Here is a look at the number of local first responders in isolation and quarantine:
Wednesday
New Numbers:
On Wednesday, the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department reported 1,178 confirmed and 39 probable cases of coronavirus, making a total of 1,217 in the county.
TLCHD leaders reported 96 confirmed and eight probable COVID-related deaths, for a total of 104.
The most recent deaths represent a male in his 60s, a male in his 70s, a female in her 50s and another female in her 60s.
There have been 503 male cases and 714 female cases with an age range of 3 to 101 years old.
Here is a look at the number of Lucas County first responders in isolation and quarantine:
Arts and Cultural Resources:
Members of the group Toledo Area Cultural Leaders (TACL) are stepping up in a big way to provide resources for not only families, but for first responders amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Lori Houser with the Imagination Station listed some of the ways area cultural leaders are helping, including:
- Lourdes offering up space for medical personnel and first responders isolating from families
- The Toledo Zoo providing meals for medical personnel and first responders
- The Science Center is doing activities daily for kids at daycares catering to families of first responders
- Many are creating 3D-printed masks, which can be dropped off at the library
Houser said that while many facilities are closed, there is a huge number of resources for people to explore. From story times to live demonstrations on Facebook, there are ways for families to find comfort or education through the arts community.
For a look at what events are going on in the area, click here.
For artists, click here for a list of local and national funding opportunities. Folk said that artists can be considered self-employed individuals and may be eligible for unemployment.
Future Events
Marc Folk, Executive Director of the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo addressed how people can plan for the big events that come up in the summer and fall.
Folk said that if you are on the fence, you can go ahead and buy a ticket for a future event you want to go to, but you should understand that it is an adaptive future and things may always change. However, he encourages you to use that ticket as a donation to the organization if you end up being unable to attend.
Leaders in the arts and culture community are continuing to find innovative ways to move forward as we approach summer and fall, when many large events commonly take place.
Economic Impact
Folk said that the arts and culture sector generates about $3.8 million in northwest Ohio alone. In Toledo, there are 375 arts-related businesses, employing just shy of 3,000 people.
Current estimates demonstrate that $100 million are lost each hour just from the arts and culture sector during this shutdown, Folk said.
Watch full briefing:
Tuesday
New numbers:
The Toledo-Lucas County Health Department reported 1,151 confirmed and 39 probable cases of coronavirus, for a total of 1,190 in the county.
So far, there have been 92 confirmed and eight probable COVID-related deaths, making 100 total reported.
The latest deaths represent one male in his 20s, one male in his 60s, one male in his 80s, one male in his 90s, one female in her 50s, three females in their 60s, five females in their 80s and two females in their 90s, according to the health department.
The gender ratio is 697 female and 493 male cases, while ages range from 3 to 101-year-olds.
Below are the cases among first responders in Lucas County:
Briefing
Area officials discussed the reopening guidelines for the state of Ohio during a news conference Tuesday morning. Among those discussing what's next were Wendy Gramza, president and CEO of The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Eric Zgodzinski, commissioner of the Toledo Lucas County Health Department; and Sandy Spang, Commissioner of Business Services for the city of Toledo.
Zgodzinski said that although things are reopening “it’s not business as usual” and there are a lot of things that have to change to reopen. "We can’t take our eye off the progress we’ve made."
WATCH FULL BRIEFING:
Gov. Mike DeWine on Monday outlined the guidelines that businesses must follow to reopen safely.
The five general standards that all companies should meet are:
- Require face coverings for employees and clients/customers at all times.
- Conduct daily health assessments by employers and employees (self-evaluation) to determine if "fit for duty."
- Maintain good hygiene at all times - handwashing and social distancing
- Clean and sanitize workplaces throughout the workday and at the close of business or between shifts.
- Limit capacity to meet social distancing guidelines. Establish maximum capacity at 50% of fire code. And use appointment settings where possible to limit congestion.
Below are the county's guidelines for businesses reopening:
Gramza, president and CEO of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, discussed the resources that are available for small businesses. The chamber has an economic advocacy plan called “Business Reboot.” This will provide businesses with resources and a checklist to help with reopening. Gramza encourages business owners to be creative in this process to reopen.
To get in touch with the Business Reboot program, visit the Toledo Chamber of Commerce website at www.toledochamber.com, call 419-243-8191 or email joinus@toledochamber.com
Tonia Saunders with Ohio Means Jobs discussed the unique role her office has for both employees and employers during this time - both serving employers and making sure people are ready and able to join the workforce.
Assistance that is available for employers includes the following:
- Posting open jobs on ohiomeansjobs.com and matching qualified resumes to open positions
- Helping employers find the resumes of qualified candidates for open positions
- Providing resources to avoid layoffs
- On-the-job training to offset wages during training
- Businesses can call 419-213-3300 for assistance
Assistance that is available for job seekers includes:
- Staff on standby for one-on-one employment assistance over the phone.
- Help updating your resume, practicing interviewing skills and job searches
- Call 419-213-5627 for assistance
- To apply for positions with current openings throughout the state, visit https://jobsearch.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/jobsearch/home
Sandy Spang, the commissioner of Business Services with the city of Toledo, discussed changes with the Paycheck Protection Program and also said that the unemployment expansion should help businesses.
She also encourages businesses to get in touch with the office if they need help and want them to be able to “take advantage of the resources we have." She also said small businesses should apply for multiple programs to help, but make sure they aren’t dipping out of the same funds.
Zgodzinski brought up the contact tracing that will continue to take place in order to help stop the spread of coronavirus. He noted the recommended number of people for that is 15 per 100,000.
"I’d like to have more than 15 people," Zgodzinski said.
You can volunteer for the Medical Reserve Corps here: https://www.ohioresponds.odh.ohio.gov
Monday
New numbers:
The Toledo-Lucas County Health Department reported 1,109 confirmed and 39 probable cases of coronavirus, for a total of 1,148 in the county.
So far there have been 77 confirmed and eight probable COVID-related deaths, making 85 total reported.
New deaths are a male in his 30s, a male in his 70s, two males in their 80s, a female in her 70s, two females in their 80s and a female in her 90s, according to the health department.
The gender ratio is 669 female and 479 male cases, while ages range from 3 to 101-year-olds.
Below are the cases among first responders in Lucas County:
Testing
Last week, the health department started the public-private partnership for widespread testing in the area.
Commissioners said testing is the key to getting the economy going again, and getting everyone safely back to work.
Since these testing sites began to open up last week, more than 1,300 people have been tested and results have already started to come in.
Currently, in Lucas County, there are four drive-thru "self swab" testing sites:
- Rite-Aid: 7225 Airport Highway Holland, OH - Get started on the process by CLICKING HERE.
- Metroparks Hawkins Farmhouse: 5434 West Bancroft Toledo, OH 43615 - To apply, CLICK HERE.
- Nexus Healthcare Center: 1415 Jefferson Avenue Toledo, OH 43604 - Call 419-214-5700. Spanish translation will also be available to make an appointment.
- Navarre Park Family Care Center: 1020 Varland Ave. Toledo, OH 43605 - Call 419-214-5700. Spanish translation will also be available to make an appointment.
These tests are reserved for patients with COVID-19 symptoms and are available by appointment only.
Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz reiterated how important testing is to reopening businesses. He teased to Gov. Mike DeWine's plan, saying he believes people will be surprised by how little will be reopened initially. He said the reason we need to open things slowly is because there is still not enough testing available.
Testing in Nursing Homes
Toledo-Lucas County Health Department Commissioner Eric Zgodzinski said over the last 48 hours, health leaders have worked alongside Quest Diagnostics to figure out how to further expand testing, especially in nursing homes.
Quest Diagnostics Vice President Matthew Hamlin said that his team reached out to 67 long-term care facilities over the weekend and set up accounts across the county, with the first 500 testing kits sent out on Monday. Over the next week, Hamlin expects nearly 5,000 test kits to be sent out to these facilities to utilize.
"This will continue. We'll do this until we have 100% coverage," he said.
The first kits are expected to be delivered Monday afternoon and will continue thereafter.
Hamlin said that results for priority patients can be ready the next day. For non-priority patients, results generally come back within two to three days.
The health department identified locations that faced a higher need for testing kits; those are the facilities who will be receiving them first. Hamlin said his team can pick tests back up multiple times a day if need be.
Zgodzinski said some facilities have already completed mass testing and others may opt out because leaders believe they have a handle on the situation. He said that this is another tool for the nursing homes to use, but it is up to them on how and when to use it.
Full briefing:
Sunday
New numbers
The Toledo-Lucas County Health Department reported 1,080 confirmed and 42 probable cases of coronavirus, for a total of 1,122 in the county.
So far there have been 65 confirmed and 10 probable COVID-related deaths, making 75 total reported.