Public Hearing – Local Air Pollution Control Regulations

Image of a persons hand writing the words Public Notice in black ink on a white background

August 22, 2024

Public Notice

This notice is to inform all interested parties of the proposed revisions of the Local Air Pollution Control Regulations being considered by the Clermont County Board of Health.  A public hearing will be held at the Public Health Office, 2275 Bauer Road, Batavia, OH 45103 at 3:30pm on September 11, 2024. The proposed revisions of the Local Air Pollution Control Regulations are as follows: Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3704 and Ohio Administrative Code 3745-14 through 3745-24, 3745-31, 3745-73, 3745-76, 3745-77 through 80, 3745-100 through 104, 3745-107, and 3745-110-114 are hereby incorporated by reference as the Clermont County Health District Local Air Pollution Control Regulations. Proposed revisions will be effective November 1, 2024. If you would like to provide written comments, please submit them to ccph@clermontcountyohio.gov prior to that date.  If you have questions, please contact (513)732-7499.

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Clermont County Public Health investigating a potential case of measles

February 20, 2024

BATAVIA, Ohio – Clermont County Public Health is investigating a potential case of measles in the county. Public Health is working with the individual and their healthcare provider to gather more information.

“We want to be extra cautious and make sure our residents know the signs and symptoms and how to protect themselves from measles,” said Health Commissioner Julianne Nesbit. “The best thing you can do is to stay up to date on your vaccines and stay home when you’re sick.”

Measles has been present internationally and in the U.S. in 2024, including in Ohio.

Measles is a highly contagious virus. It can spread from one person to another by coughing or sneezing. The virus can live for up to two hours in the air after an infected person leaves the area and can infect other people who breathe the contaminated air or touch infected surfaces.

People infected with measles can spread the virus to others before showing symptoms. Symptoms usually appear 7-14 days after a person comes in contact with the virus.

Measles symptoms include:

  • rash (typically lasts 5-6 days)
  • high fever (up to 104°F or higher)
  • runny nose
  • red, watery eyes

You are considered protected against measles if:

  • you were born before 1957
  • you have already had measles
  • you have had two doses of the measles (MMR) vaccine

The MMR vaccine is a routine vaccine that requires two doses. Children can get their first dose at 12 months and typically get their second dose between 4 and 6 years old. If you have received two doses of the MMR vaccine for measles, your chances of getting it are very low. After two doses, the vaccine is 97% effective at preventing measles.

If you don’t know whether or not you’re protected, ask your healthcare provider for your vaccination record.  

Public Health does not provide testing or treatment for measles. If you have symptoms, stay home, avoid contact with others, and call your healthcare provider. Do not show up in the waiting room without contacting the staff first, in case you are contagious.

For more information about measles, visit https://www.cdc.gov/measles/

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Public Health partners with Grant Career Center to employ career tech student

BATAVIA, OH – Clermont County Public Health and Grant Career Center are partnering to employ a career tech student. The idea for the partnership came after Amanda Myers, Operations Manager with Clermont County Public Health, attended a workshop at Grant last summer about employing career tech students. “I had no idea that Ohio’s minor labor laws allowed career tech students to enter the workplace similar to an adult,” said Myers. “I knew this was something we could use to help support our staffing needs.”

Brandon Hoeppner, the Information and Technology Instructor at Grant Career Center, said, “When I saw the job posting, I knew I had a student that would be a great fit, so I called Amanda.” The student, Annabelle Terrell, followed the same applicant and interview process as other candidates and was chosen to fill the position and started working for Clermont County Public Health in August.

The partnership allows the student to gain valuable work experience while still attending school.

Terrell is a part-time office specialist in Public Health’s permit central office. When she’s not answering phones and helping customers, she’s in school.

“My experience so far with the work-based learning program has been amazing,” said Terrell. “I’ve learned so many new things and finally know my plans after high school.” She added, “My coworkers are amazing, and it’s a supportive workplace. I want to continue working in a government position and climb the ladder.”

Grant Career Center held a panel discussion at Grant Career Center recently and invited Ms. Myers to attend. “It has been a great partnership that benefits our agency, Grant Career Center, and our student-employee,” said Myers.

Myers recommends the program to other employers looking to fill open positions and encourages them to call Chad Graybill, Work Based Learning Coordinator at Grant Career Center, at 513-734-6222.

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Annabelle Terrell is a student at Grant Career Center and works part-time for Clermont County Public Health as part of Grant’s Career Tech Program.

Clermont County Overdose Awareness Day

Clermont County Public Health is hosting an Overdose Awareness Day on Thursday, August 31, from 5-8 p.m. at Batavia Township Park (1535 Clough Pike, Batavia, OH 45103).

“We want to bring together the many individuals and families impacted by addiction and remember those we have lost to overdose,” said Injury Prevention Coordinator and event organizer Brianna Wolken.

The event will include

  • No-cost Narcan & Narcan training
  • Raffle for Amazon gift card
  • Guest speakers who are in recovery or affected by overdose
  • Remembrance ceremony – decorating and planting pinwheels to honor a loved one who died from an overdose.
  • Resource fair with local vendors in the treatment and recovery community.

Guests can get resources and talk to many treatment, recovery, and support agencies.

“In addition to remembering those we have lost, we also want families to know there are many resources available if they have a loved one living with substance use disorder,” said Wolken.

According to Public Health’s Overdose Fatality Review, there were 50 deaths in Clermont County in 2022 from drug overdoses. In 2021, there were 71 drug overdose deaths in Clermont County.

Other agencies participating include:

Bluebird Bus of Hope

Brightview

Caracole

Cincinnati Challenge Ranch 

Clermont County Addiction and Recovery Partnership (CARP) 

Coalition for a Drug-Free Clermont County

Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health- Clermont Recovery Center 

HealthSource of Ohio

Impacting Tomorrow 

IPM Food Pantry 

MedMark Treatment Centers

Mental Health and Recovery Board

Milford Treatment Services

On Our Way Home Recovery Housing

Sunrise Treatment Center

3Waters Recovery Center

Drug overdose deaths decrease in Clermont County

Graph showing the number of overdose fatalities in Clermont County each year from 2014 to 2022

BATAVIA, OH – Drug overdose deaths decreased nearly 30 percent in Clermont County in 2022. After a six-year high of 71 drug-related overdose deaths in 2021, there were 50* deaths in Clermont County in 2022, according to the 2022 Overdose Fatality Review published by Clermont County Public Health. (*The data from the coroner’s office is not yet finalized and may change pending further investigations).

The report uses data from the Clermont County Coroner’s Office, autopsy reports, toxicology reports, and other online databases to detect county-wide trends in drug-related deaths.

“We are encouraged to see fewer overdose deaths last year, but the presence of fentanyl in our community is still a top concern,” said Health Commissioner Julianne Nesbit.

Illicit and highly potent fentanyl was present in 78 percent of the toxicology reports in 2022.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid approximately 100 times more powerful than morphine. Continued trends have shown an increase in fentanyl, often mixed in with other drugs.

Nesbit credits the work of the Clermont County Addiction and Recovery Partnership with helping to reduce the number of deaths in the county. The partnership aims to minimize substance misuse, distribution, addiction, overdose, and deaths in Clermont County.

“Thanks to the partnership, many first responder agencies in the county now carry naloxone and can administer it at the scene of an overdose,” said Nesbit. “Without naloxone, overdose deaths may have been much higher.”

Clermont County Public Health distributed 962 doses of naloxone in 2022. Anyone that wants naloxone can visit naloxone.ohio.gov or call Clermont County Public Health at 513-735-8400.

To read the full 2022 Overdose Fatality Review, Click Here.

Public Notice of Board of Health Meeting Change

July 28, 2022

The monthly Clermont County Board of Health meeting will take place on Thursday, August 18, 2022, instead of the regularly scheduled August 10. The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the Permit Central Building at 2275 Bauer Road, Batavia, OH 45103.

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Clermont County Public Health offers childhood COVID-19 vaccine clinics

Nov. 5, 2021

BATAVIA, OH – Clermont County Public Health is holding COVID-19 childhood vaccine clinics at local schools. Each clinic will offer the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which is authorized for children five and older.  

The dates for each of the vaccine clinics administered by CCPH are:

  • Nov. 12 – Batavia Elementary 5 – 8 p.m.
  • Nov. 15 – Spaulding Elementary (Goshen) 4 – 7 p.m.
  • Nov. 16 – Milford High School 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.
  • Nov. 17 – William Bick Primary School (Bethel) 4:30 – 7 p.m.
  • Nov. 18 – New Richmond Middle School 4 – 7 p.m.
  • Nov. 19 – Felicity-Franklin High School 4 – 7 p.m.
  • Nov. 22 – Clermont Northeastern High School 9 a.m. – noon

A second vaccine clinic will be held at each site 21 days after the first dose to complete the series.

Parents can schedule appointments at these school clinics by using the ArmorVax app or by calling 513-735-8500. Parents or guardians must accompany their children. 

“All of our schools have been wonderful partners throughout this pandemic, and we are thankful that they are giving us space to use for each of these clinics,” said Health Commissioner Julianne Nesbit. “We’re eager to see many of our youngest schoolchildren finally able to get vaccinated.”

Parents can also schedule appointments at Public Health’s offices using ArmorVax, or check with their child’s pediatrician to see if they’re offering the vaccine.

For a complete list of COVID-19 vaccine providers in Clermont County, visit www.ccphohio.org/covid-19-vaccine-info/

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CCPH teaming up with local businesses to offer COVID vaccines

May 6, 2021

BATAVIA – Clermont County Public Health is partnering with two local businesses to provide the COVID-19 vaccine.  RJ Cinema Distillery and Taproom in Union Township and the Little Miami Brewing Company in Milford will each host a COVID-19 vaccination clinic. The dates for the vaccine clinics are:

“We’ve seen a decline in numbers at our mass vaccination site, so we’re going to where the people are,” said Health Commissioner Julianne Nesbit. “We’re hoping we can reach people who want the vaccine if it’s more convenient for them.”

CCPH had been vaccinating as many as 750 people per day at its site on the campus of UC Clermont College. In recent weeks, the demand has decreased, leaving many appointments unfilled.

“We hope this will be a good start to our next phase in the vaccination campaign,” said Nesbit. “We’re shifting our focus from one large-scale site, to many smaller sites throughout the county.”

As an incentive, Little Miami Brewing Company will be offering a discount to anyone who gets vaccinated at the brewery on May 22.

RJ Cinema will offer free movie passes to anyone who gets vaccinated at their site on May 13.

Appointments for each of the clinics can be found by using the ArmorVax app or by scheduling online at www.armorvax.com, but walk-ins will also be accepted.

CCPH will return to each location three weeks later to give the second dose shots of the Pfizer vaccine.

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We want your input!

Clermont County Public Health and local partners are seeking input from the community to help guide the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).

The CHIP is a long-term plan used to address public health concerns in a community. The plans are based on the assessment of the needs of a community and feedback from the citizens in that community. Clermont County’s Community Health Assessment can be found here. A summary of the assessment can be found here.

Public Health is asking community members and residents of Clermont County to take a survey and identify 3-4 priority health issues affecting the community. The survey can be found at http://bit.ly/CHIP21. Responses are due by Feb. 25.

“Community Health Improvement Plans are a vital part of public health,” said Health Commissioner Julianne Nesbit. “This plan will help us identify the issues affecting our community and allow us to focus our efforts to help resolve those issues over the next few years.”

Once complete, the CHIP will set specific goals, strategies and activities to improve the priority health issues chosen.

The goal of the improvement plan is to increase awareness of health issues impacting the community and provide education and opportunities to the public to improve their health.

The last improvement plan identified obesity, drug addiction, tobacco use and mental health as the biggest health issues in Clermont County.

Clermont County Public Health hosts vaccine clinic for residents 80 and older

Clermont County Public Health hosts vaccine clinic for residents 80 and older 

 BATAVIA, OH – Clermont County Public Health held a COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Thursday, Jan. 21 for residents aged 80 and over. Under Ohio’s vaccination plan, residents aged 80 and older were eligible to be vaccinated beginning Jan. 18.

Jerry Brothers, of Williamsburg, was one of the people vaccinated on Thursday. “I am glad to see the vaccinations are finally happening,” said Brothers. “We have been waiting a long time,” he added. Brothers said his daughter put his name on the waiting list on the Public Health website.

Clermont County residents who fall into phase 1B for vaccinations (65 and older) can be added to the waiting list by visiting Clermont County Public Health’s website at https://ccphohio.org/covid-19-vaccine-info/. CCPH is using that waiting list to schedule appointments in their clinic. The waiting list is also used to provide future communications about registering online for the vaccine.

Jerry’s wife Carol answered the call from Clermont County Public Health (CCPH) to schedule his vaccination appointment. “I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “I was so happy and excited for him, I was in tears,” she added.

Adding your name to the waiting list on CCPH’s website doesn’t guarantee an appointment, but it is a way for CCPH to collect information and contact you when your turn comes up. Anyone without access to the internet can call The Clermont County Emergency Management Agency’s COVID-19 hotline at 513-735-8500 to add their name to the waiting list. The hotline is open from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday.

“We wish we could vaccinate all of our residents, but until the supply of vaccine increases, we encourage everyone to be patient while we focus on our most vulnerable residents,” said Health Commissioner Julianne Nesbit.

For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine, including other locations where you can get vaccinated, visit https://ccphohio.org/covid-19-vaccine-info/.

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 Photo: Jerry Brothers of Williamsburg receives his COVID-19 vaccine from Mary Sacco, RN