LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

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Since 2004

Tag: Warren County Health District

  • Warren County Health District: Extremely high number of pediatric pneumonia cases

    Warren County Health District: Extremely high number of pediatric pneumonia cases

    Photo from the The Christ Hospital Health Network

    A Press Release from the Warren County Health District

    The Warren County Health District has received an extremely high number of pediatric pneumonia cases being reported this fall season. Since August, there have been 142 cases of pediatric pneumonia reported. Not only is this above the county average, it also meets the Ohio Department of Health definition of an outbreak.

    We do not think this is a novel/new respiratory disease but rather a large uptick in the number of pneumonia cases normally seen at one time.

    To date, there has not been a definitive etiology determined or a common thread linking these pneumonias. We have an ongoing investigation to examine possible linkages and risk factors.

    The average age thus far is around 8 years old, the cases span multiple school districts and there have been no conclusive patterns among the children diagnosed. Based on some data responses from a recent parent questionnaire, most common symptoms included cough, fever and fatigue.

    Among the pathogens recovered included Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Streptococcus pnuemoniae and Adenovirus.

    WCHD is working with the Ohio Department of Health, local children’s hospitals and primary care providers in hopes to determine a cause and further prevent the spread of illness. One recommendation is for providers to have a lower threshold to test children presenting with cough, fever and/or fatigue and consider nasopharyngeal swabs for respiratory viruses, mycoplasma and pertussis.

    WCHD sent out a notification with education to Warren County providers last week in an effort to further clarify the nature of the outbreak.

    As we approach the holiday season, when many of us will be gathering together with family and friends, please remember to take necessary precautions to protect your health: wash your hands, cover your cough, stay home when ill, and stay up to date on vaccines.

    If you have any questions or need to report a pneumonia case, please contact the Warren County Health District at 513-695-2097.

  • Warren County Health District Monkeypox bulletin

    Warren County Health District Monkeypox bulletin

    Warren County, Ohio – This is the information the Warren County Health District is providing:

    If you suspect you have been exposed to someone with monkeypox, please contact your healthcare provider for guidance.  There are no plans to provide Monkeypox vaccinations to the general public in Warren County at this time. Vaccine is only available on a case-by-case basis for individuals who have been identified close contacts of an individual experiencing Monkeypox.

  • Living with COVID-19 among us

    Living with COVID-19 among us

    Warren County Health District (WCHD) is administering free vaccines Monday through Friday from 8 AM until 3:30 PM at 416 S. East Street Lebanon OH 45036 Walk-in basis or you can call 513-695-SHOT for an appointment.

    Release from the Warren County Health District

    COVID-19 Variants, including the Delta Variant first seen in India, may play a part in our daily lives going forward. There have been cases of COVID-19 Delta variant in Warren County, in Ohio and now 50% of samples tested for variants in the US are Delta. We must learn to live with COVID in our communities. Please see the following list of things to do to protect yourself, your family, and your friends.

    Stay home if you are sick

    • Stay home except to get medical care
    • Take care of yourself. Get rest and stay hydrated. Take over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen, to help you feel better.
    • Stay in touch with your doctor. Call before you get medical care. Be sure to get care if you have trouble breathing, or have any other emergency warning signs, or if you think it is an emergency.
    • Separate yourself from other people
    • Monitor your symptoms
    • Get Tested
    • If you are sick, wear a mask over your nose and mouth
    • Cover your coughs and sneezes
    • Clean your hands often
    • Avoid sharing personal household items
    • Clean all “high-touch” surfaces everyday
    Stay home if you might have been exposed to COVID-19 if you have NOT been vaccinated
    • Stay home for 14 days after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19.
    • Watch for fever (100.4◦F), cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19
    • Stay away from others, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19

    Options to reduce quarantine

    – After day 10 without testing
    – After day 7 after receiving a negative test result (test must occur on day 5 or later)

    Stand back from others when out and about

    • When you are at the grocery, at an event, or somewhere with others, stand back a bit. Stand back a few feet when in line at the grocery. Take a different aisle at a store if the aisle is crowded. When meeting someone on the street, stand back a few feet while having a conversation. You can still interact with people, just be aware of spacing and hand washing. 
    • Consider wearing a mask when you cannot avoid being within 6 feet of others, especially in crowded indoor spaces (vaccinated or not vaccinated).


    If you are not vaccinated, consider wearing a mask

    We are all sick of the masks, but if you have not been vaccinated, you can be at high risk of getting COVID from a variant that is in the community. Protect yourself. The masks do not “filter” every virus, but we have seen over the last year that the masks DO stop droplets from entering your nose or mouth. The virus rides in on these droplets. Just like children on Chemotherapy wear masks when their immune system is down, we can protect ourselves the same way.

    Warren County Health District (WCHD) is administering free vaccines Monday through Friday from 8 AM until 3:30 PM at 416 S. East Street Lebanon OH 45036 Walk-in basis or you can call 513-695-SHOT for an appointment.

  • Warren County Health District “overwhelmed” with the rapid acceleration of new COVID-19 cases

    Warren County Health District “overwhelmed” with the rapid acceleration of new COVID-19 cases

    440% increase in reported cases since October 1st

    The Warren County Health District (WCHD) says they have “recently become overwhelmed with the rapid acceleration in the number of new positive COVID-19 cases being reported.” As of Friday, WCHD is currently seeing a average of 110 new cases being reported daily, with a recent peak of 175 cases reported in one day.

    The Health District said that here has been a 72% increase in the average daily cases since November 1st and a 440% increase in reported cases since October 1st.

    Hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients in Southwest Ohio have increased by 67% over the last 2 weeks and COVID-19 patients in the ICU have increased by 50% over the same time period, according to a release from the health department. “We are at a critical point in the response to the coronavirus pandemic.”

    In order to manage the surge in cases additional contact tracers have been hired in addition to contracts signed with local universities for additional assistance.

    Until additional resources are in place and operational for contact tracing, WCHD is going to be sending people that are not able to be contacted via phone, a letter including:

    • Informing them of their positive result for COVID-19
    • Education on isolation
    • Education on quarantine for any household contacts
    • Education on what constitutes someone as a close contact
    • Asking the person to call any close contacts they identify during their contagious period and inform contact of their exposure so the contact may begin their quarantine.

    The message the District is sending to every citizen is that “It is imperative that everyone increases their efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the community. Now is the time to focus on the measures we know can slow the spread of the virus and protect yourself and others.”

    • Stay home if you are sick
    • Stay home if you have been exposed to COVID-19
    • Avoid gatherings, limit contact with people outside of your household, and reconsider holiday plans
    • Keep six (6) feet of distance from others
    • Wear a mask
    • Wash your hands

    The Health District asks that if you are notified by a healthcare provider that you have tested positive for COVID-19, isolate away from others at your house and inform your close contacts that they need to quarantine in their home for 14 days from the last time you had close contact with them.

    Quarantine and isolation means that you must stay in your place of residence until you are released from quarantine or isolation, or for a medical emergency.

    People with questions about COVID-19 can call the Ohio Department of Health COVID-19 Call Center, 7 days a week from 9AM – 8PM at: 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634) or visit warrenchd.com for local information.

  • Little Miami’s Return to Learn! plan

    Little Miami’s Return to Learn! plan

    Morrow, Ohio – On August 6, Little Miami Local Schools announced that it was pushing back the opening dates of school for the 2020-2021 school year by one week.

    The first day of school for grades 5-12 was on Monday, Aug. 24.

    The first day for grades PreK-4 is Wednesday, Aug. 26.

    Students who are enrolled in Virtual Learning Academy will also begin their courses on these days.

    The information below contains the plans for returning students and staff to Little Miami school buildings for the 2020-2021 school year.

    “As with many things in these unprecedented times, this plan could change with new or additional information.”

    Student Learning 

    For the 2020-2021 school year, Little Miami will offer two learning options.

    1. In-person instruction. Students will attend school five days per week. Families understand that some level of risk will always be present when children and school district employees occupy school district facilities. Face coverings are required for students and staff, with some exceptions. Read the Board policy on face coverings.
    2. Remote learning through Virtual Learning Academy, a third-party vendor. This option is for students whose families do not wish to send them to school. Students will agree to remote learning from home one semester at a time. Students will not be permitted to come in and out of remote learning. VLA classes will be supported by Little Miami teachers. See more information on VLA here.

    In Case of Unexpected Closure/Remote Learning

    Should local or regional conditions dictate, Little Miami will enact its Intermittent Remote Learning Plan, where all students will participate in virtual learning. Moving to remote instruction may be at the direction of the Warren County Health District, the Ohio Department of Health, or local or state government. Students who are currently enrolled in VLA will continue in VLA.

    Read the Intermittent Remote Learning Plan.


    Individual     Building In-Person Learning Details

    General District Details by Department

    “Little Miami has worked very hard to make sure students and staff can return to – and stay in – our buildings this school year. Little Miami has also tried to be clear with students and staff that there is some risk returning to school. In the event that someone tests positive for the virus, Little Miami will take our lead from the Warren County Health Department regarding protocols. Should local or regional conditions dictate, Little Miami will enact its Intermittent Remote Learning Plan, where all students will participate in virtual learning. Moving to remote instruction may be at the direction of the Warren County Health District, the Ohio Department of Health, or local or state government. Students who are currently enrolled in VLA will continue in VLA.”See Little Miami’s intermittent remote learning plan.

    2020-2021 VIRTUAL LEARNING AT LITTLE MIAMI

    For the 2020-2021 school year, Little Miami will offer two learning options: in-person instruction in LM buildings, or remote learning through Virtual Learning Academy (VLA). VLA is operated by the Jefferson County (Ohio) Educational Services Center.

    More than 1,000 students opt to begin year remotely

    About 1,000 Little Miami students — approximately 20 percent of the district’s enrollment — have elected to begin the 2020-21 school year using Virtual Learning Academy.

    The number of families electing to go remote was fairly consistent across grade levels. The average number of remote learning students per grade is 75. More than 200 high school students will be using VLA to begin the year.

    Regulations for spectators announced

    Also Read…

    Loveland Magazine’s “Guidebook” to the Loveland School District

    Additional info about Loveland School District’s reopening progress

    Loveland School’s face mask policy

    COVID 19 clusters temporarily closes most of UD campus

    School funding bill to get new look under new speaker

    Kings School District Reopening Plan

    Milford Schools delay opening

    [12 positive cases] COVID-19 Oxford Campus Dashboard now available

    Reopening begins for Ohio’s colleges: Here’s how it looks

    Fall High School Contact Sports Receive the Go-Ahead From DeWine

    Indian Hills schools: In-person, Virtual Academy or Hybrid

  • [BREAKING] Warren County Health Director sees rapid increase in community spread of COVID-19 cases

    [BREAKING] Warren County Health Director sees rapid increase in community spread of COVID-19 cases

    Warren County, Ohio – A press release just issued by the Warren County Health District:

    As Warren County continues to reopen from the COVID-19 pandemic closures, the Warren County Health District wants the residents of our county to know that we are seeing a rapid increase in community spread of COVID-19 cases.

    If you have attended family gatherings, church services, funerals, or live in an apartment building or other multi-family dwelling, we encourage you to monitor yourself closely for any symptoms and consult your doctor if necessary. Many times the symptoms are similar to mild seasonal allergies and may include, but are not limited to: fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, headache, runny nose, congestion and loss of taste or smell.

    As the county has continued to reopen, the Health District wants to encourage you to take precautions to protect yourself and to stay healthy, by reducing the spread of COVID-19, as you are out in the community.

    • If you are sick, stay home.
    • Wear a face covering over your nose and mouth when around others, to protect others and yourself.
    • Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet between yourself and other people.
    • Avoid large gatherings and confined spaces, whenever possible.
    • Use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol when out in public or you cannot wash your hands.
    • Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds
    • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer after cough or sneezing.
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth as much as possible. The Health District is continuing to work to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health of all Warren County residents. For the latest information and updates about the current situation visit www.coronavirus.ohio.gov. If you have questions or concerns call (513) 695-2475.

    OHIO

     

  • River Advisory on the Little Miami Rivers South of Old 3C Highway has been removed

    River Advisory on the Little Miami Rivers South of Old 3C Highway has been removed

    Health District encourages river users to follow these typical precautions including:
    • Avoid drinking river water
    • Avoid swallowing water when swimming.
    • Avoid getting water shot up your nose when swimming, especially in warm shallow water. Avoid swimming or wading in with open wounds or cuts.
    • Don’t swim if you are ill.
    • Shower with soap and clean water after swimming.

    Contact your local canoe livery – It appears most have reopened

    Loveland, Ohio – The Warren County Health District sent out a press release this afternoon advising that untreated sewage is no longer being discharged to the Little Miami River and they have removed their advisory not to enter or fish in the Little Miami River south of Old 3C Highway in Warren County.

    On Thursday the District advised citizens not to enter or fish in the River because of increased health risks associated with coming into contact with wastewater that may contain, parasites, viruses, and bacteria that can cause a range of conditions including; diarrhea, dysentery, gastroenteritis and hepatitis A.

    A “breach in a sewer main” resulted in untreated wastewater being directed to the River.

    The repair of Warren County’s force main was completed at 4:15 AM this morning and the illicit discharge to Simpson Creek and the Little Miami River was stopped at approximately 5:00 AM. The District said in that press release, “Our pump stations are operational and untreated wastewater is no longer being discharged to the river and/or streams.”

     

  • Public Advised Not to Enter Little Miami River South of Old 3C Highway Until Further Notice

    Public Advised Not to Enter Little Miami River South of Old 3C Highway Until Further Notice

    Loveland, Ohio – The Warren County Health District has been notified of a breach in a sewer main by the Warren County Water & Sewer Department and the Ohio Environmental Health Association in the area of Socialville-Foster Road and Old 3C Highway.

    Loveland is downstream of where the raw sewage is entering the Little Miami River.

    As a precautionary measure, the Warren County Health District is advising citizens not to enter or fish in the Little Miami River south of Old 3C Highway in Warren County until the sewer breach has been repaired. The Warren County Health District will be conducting testing of the Little Miami River to identify potential increases in bacteria.

    There are increased health risks associated with coming into contact with wastewater. Parasites, viruses, and bacteria can cause a range of conditions including; diarrhea, dysentery, gastroenteritis and hepatitis A.

    To prevent the spread of disease the Warren County Health District is advising the public not to enter the water until the breach has been corrected.

    Swallowing a small amount of contaminated wastewater or having contaminated wastewater come in contact with an open wound, may make you sick.

    The symptoms can range from mild to severe. If you have diarrhea, the most important thing you can do is to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. This is especially important for young children, pregnant women, and persons with weakened immune systems (such as those living with HIV/AIDS, those who have received an organ transplant, or those receiving certain types of chemotherapy).

    Seek medical care immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:

    •   your diarrhea is bloody or diarrhea isn’t improving after 3 days
    •   your diarrhea is accompanied by fever or chills
    •   you are dehydrated (signs of dehydration include: dry or “cottony” mouth, cracked lips, dry

    flushed skin, headache, irritability, not urinating at least four times a day, no tears when crying, not sweating, or confusion)

     

    A health care provider may prescribe medicine to help replace the fluids your body has lost because of the diarrhea. In some cases, over-the-counter medications can slow the diarrhea.

    The Warren County Health District will notify the public with additional information as needed. The public will be updated when the precautionary measures are lifted via media release.