After a good turnout for the first personal protective equipment drop-off day, Clermont County Public Health has another drop-off day scheduled for Thursday, April 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donations will be collected at Clermont County Public Health’s Permit Central location (2275 Bauer Road, Batavia, OH 45103).
The supply of personal protective equipment is critically low in our region and across the country. All donations collected will be redistributed to hospitals, healthcare facilities and local first responders.
Some of the items that are needed are:
The drop-off location will be a drive-through and will be exempt from the stay at home order that went into effect on 3/24/2020.
In addition to the public PPE drop off days, CCPH has also received two shipments of personal protective equipment from the Strategic National Stockpile which is the nation’s supply of medicine and medical supplies that can be used by local health departments during a public health emergency.
Anyone who has items to donate but can’t make the scheduled time can call 513-732-7499 to make other arrangements for dropoff.
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Clermont County Public Health hosted a personal protective equipment (PPE) donation day on Thursday, March 26.
With the COVID-19 outbreak, PPE for healthcare workers and first responders is in high demand. The
supply of N-95 masks and face shields are critically low. Healthcare workers attending to patients diagnosed with COVID-19 must wear protective N-95 masks, gowns and gloves to protect themselves.
The call for donations of PPE and cleaning supplies was in partnership with the Clermont County Emergency Management Agency. Clermont County Public Health and the Clermont County Emergency Management Agency will be working with local first responders and healthcare facilities to distribute the donated PPE to those facilities in Clermont County most in need. Some of the items donated included: N95 masks, surgical masks, vinyl gloves, surgical gowns, hand sanitizer and disinfectant.
In addition to the donated PPE, Clermont County Public Health also received a shipment of PPE from the Strategic National Stockpile.
The donated PPE is in addition to a shipment of equipment that was received on Monday, March 23 from the Strategic National Stockpile. The Strategic National Stockpile is the nationwide storage of medicine and medical supplies that can be requested by state and local public health agencies during emergencies.
If you have personal protective equipment at home that you would like to donate, please call Clermont County Public Health at 513-732-7499.
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NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release March 24, 2020
Clermont County Public Health personal protective equipment donation day
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Clermont County Public Health (CCPH) is collecting donations of personal protective equipment. A donation day will be set up on Thursday, March 26 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m at Clermont County Public Health’s Permit Central office (2275 Bauer Road, Batavia, OH 45103).
The supply of personal protective equipment is critically low in our region and across the country. All donations collected will be redistributed to hospitals, healthcare facilities and local first responders.
Some of the items that are needed are:
The drop-off location will be a drive-through and will be exempt from the stay at home order that went into effect on 3/24/2020.
If you are unable to drop off your donations during this date/time please call Clermont County Public Health at 513-732-7499 to make arrangements for pick up. This location will only be receiving donations during designated times.
For more information, call Clermont County Public Health at 513-732-7499 or visit www.ccphohio.org.
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March 21, 2020
Clermont County Public Health has confirmed its second positive case of COVID-19 in the county. The new case is a male in his 60’s. He is a household contact of the first case that was reported yesterday.
As with any confirmed case of COVID-19 and other reportable diseases, our team of nurses is in contact with this individual to get a list of all known contacts he has had. The person with COVID-19 will be in isolation until released. All known contacts will be called and asked to self-quarantine for 14 days.
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 people you should:
For the most recent information on the number of cases in Ohio, visit www.coronavirus.ohio.gov
*This site updates daily at 2 p.m.
For a map of positive cases in Ohio, visit: http://maps.clermontcountyohio.gov/apps/covid19/
**Updated daily
As we enter a new decade, we are celebrating an even bigger milestone – our 100th anniversary. On March 17, 1920, the Clermont County Board of Health held its first meeting to organize what would become the Clermont County General Health District.
The creation of health districts in Ohio was a direct result of the nationwide influenza pandemic in 1918 that took thousands of lives across the country. Recognizing the need for more comprehensive public health services, Ohio lawmakers passed the Hughes-Griswold Act which created local health departments for cities and counties throughout Ohio. Prior to that, each city, township and village had their own form of health organization but each varied greatly in their structure and the services they offered.
Health departments were created to serve the residents of cities, while health districts were formed to serve entire counties. With the new laws in place, each health district in Ohio offered a more standardized level of service to its residents. Required services included data collection, food safety, birth & death records and disease control and prevention. Each health district had its own board of health and a minimum of three employees (a health commissioner, a clerk and a public health nurse).
Though we have grown from our original three employees to a staff of more than 50 dedicated people, our focus has stayed the same – to protect the health of our residents. Some of the services we offered in 1920 are still offered today, though they’ve been greatly improved. Along the way, some of our services have shifted to other state or federal agencies while we have added many more programs and services.
In the last century, there have been many advancements in public health which led to improvements in the overall health of our community. Some of the biggest public health accomplishments over the last 100 years are:
• Life expectancy has increased by more than 20 years
• Smallpox has been eradicated
• New vaccines have been created for diseases that were once common (polio, mumps, measles and
chickenpox are just a few)
• Better sanitation and hygiene practices have reduced the number of diseases
• Improved health care for infants and women during and after pregnancy
• Better food safety practices have decreased the number of foodborne illnesses
In 2020 we will be updating our Strategic Plan and our Community Health Improvement Plan. Both of those will be the foundation to guide our efforts and priorities as we move into a new decade and our second 100 years. Today’s top health priorities – drug use and abuse, tobacco use and childhood obesity have changed over the last 100 years, but our efforts to make our county healthier have not. Our mission is to improve Clermont County by preventing disease, promoting health, and protecting the environment.
Julianne Nesbit
Health Commissioner
Clermont County Public Health is closing its Permit Central Lobby located at 2275 Bauer Rd. Batavia Ohio effective Monday, March 16, 2020. This closure is in response to the current COVID-19 pandemic. At this time our Nursing/WIC location will remain open. You can continue to reach us by phone at 513-732-7499. Please continue to check the CCPH website for updates. There are many CCPH services that can be accessed online, by postal mail and by phone. Please know that several Public Health staff are actively involved in leading the local response to this pandemic. Right now we are committed to providing the most timely service possible but we are asking for your patience during this difficult time. Below is a list of services and recommended ways to conduct business while our building is closed to the public.
Birth Certificates: Order online at ccphohio.org or by postal mail.
Death Certificates: Funeral homes can continue using the current e-file process or file by postal mail.
Filing New Permits: By postal mail.
Nursing and WIC Services: At this time the Nursing/WIC location will remain open. Please continue to check ccphohio.org for updates.
If you have any questions please call our main line at 513-732-7499.
BATAVIA, OH – Clermont County Public Health, following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) are urging citizens to prepare for the novel coronavirus or COVID-19 to begin spreading throughout the community in the United States. While the current risk of getting sick with the virus remains low, it is never too early to prepare.
“Preventing disease outbreaks is what we plan and prepare for on a routine basis,” said Health Commissioner Julianne Nesbit. “Our emergency preparedness team has been meeting on a regular basis since the end of January to plan and prepare for a potential outbreak of the virus in our community. We have been in regular contact with the Ohio Department of Health for guidance and to get the most accurate and up to date information.”
ODH has declared COVID-19 a Class-A reportable disease. That means if a person has or is thought to have the coronavirus, the hospital or health care facility treating the patient must tell the local health department immediately.
“If we are notified of a possible COVID-19 case, we would immediately begin a disease investigation just like other contagious diseases that we track,” said Nesbit. The type of investigation can vary depending on the type of disease.
A disease investigation can involve public health nurses contacting the patient and their close contacts, once a positive test is confirmed. This helps to limit the spread of the disease.
In 2019, Clermont County Public Health had more than 1600 communicable disease reports.
Along with other health departments, CCPH routinely conducts exercises that test how they would respond to a public health emergency. These exercises are good training for staff members. They also allow CCPH to see what parts of their plans can be improved when a real emergency occurs.
“Our experience with the H1N1 flu outbreak in 2009-1010, Ebola in 2015, and most recently the hepatitis A outbreak in 2018-2019 have helped us stay prepared for another potential disease outbreak,” said Nesbit.
While the coronavirus is not widespread in the United States, and there are no confirmed cases in Ohio, it’s always a good idea to stay prepared. Here are a few things you can do:
The flu is a bigger public health threat currently than COVID-19. Some of the symptoms of COVID-19 can be similar to flu symptoms. Anyone who has not had a flu shot should get one. Flu season in Ohio typically runs through April.
For the most up to date information, visit the ODH website, or the CDC’s website.
Get ready for spring by making some healthy lifestyle changes. March is National Nutrition Month® and is a perfect time to make some improvements to your overall health. This year the theme of National Nutrition Month® is “Eat Right, Bite by Bite”. The goal is to improve your nutrition with each and every bite. Practice mindful eating, make better food choices and increase your physical activity. Some suggestions that the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends helping get you started include:
1. Eat a variety of healthy foods every day! Try to include foods from each food group at every meal to help get a variety of key nutrients in your diet. Shop smart by learning how to read food labels. Remember that portion sizes are important. Try to only eat what you need to fill you up and avoid overeating. Take time to enjoy your meal with family and friends. Make sure to keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of healthy beverages. Choose water or low-fat milk.
2. Plan your meals ahead of time! It can be helpful to create a list of the foods you need for the week before shopping. Choose what recipes you want to make. Plan ahead to make healthy food choices while at school, work and while out traveling. Read nutrition information from menus when eating out.
3. Learn how to make some new meals! Improve your cooking skills by trying new recipes and using a variety of ingredients. Share leftover food with friends and family instead of throwing it out. Make sure to wash hands while preparing food and to practice good food safety skills.
4. Meet with a registered dietitian! Meeting with a dietitian can help improve your diet, answer questions about special dietary needs and develop specific food menus that are right for you. Ask your doctor for a referral or find a dietitian in your community. Visit eatright.org for more information on how to find a registered dietitian near you!
Work with your local dietitian to improve your health bite by bite! Making small changes can help you to improve your health for a lifetime. Making changes takes time and patience. Start out by setting small goals for yourself. Try to increase your physical activity level. Some tips include going on family walks together, playing music and dancing in the living room, taking the stairs when out instead of the elevator, parking further away, and riding your bike. To view parks near you, visit our Places and Spaces guide.
Tobacco continues to be the number one preventable cause of death in the United States. Smoking tobacco delivers over 7,000 chemicals into your body. Some of the chemicals from tobacco that are absorbed cause cancer. What some individuals don’t know is that electronic cigarettes, that deliver nicotine, are a method for consuming tobacco.
What is nicotine?
Nicotine is a tobacco-derived product. Nicotine is highly addictive. The use of nicotine can harm brain development in teens and young adults. The brain continues to develop into the early to mid-20s.
What are electronic cigarettes?
Electronic cigarettes are a device to deliver nicotine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states, “E-cigarettes are sometimes called “e-cigs,” “vapes,” “e-hookahs,” “vape pens,” and “electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).” Some e-cigarettes look like regular cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. Some look like USB flash drives, pens, and other everyday items.” The electronic device heats a liquid and creates an aerosol that is inhaled into the body.
Why are electronic cigarettes dangerous?
E-cigarettes can contain other harmful ingredients besides nicotine. You may have heard of e-cigarettes recently in the news and their link to the lung injury outbreak. As of October 15, 2019, 1,479 lung injury cases have been reported to CDC. There have been 33 deaths in 24 states. Lung injuries linked to e-cigarette use are reported to the person’s local health department in Ohio. CDC and health departments across the United States continue to study these cases. The CDC warns that the use of e-cigarettes is unsafe for all ages.
Are electronic cigarettes a problem for our youth?
The CDC published that nearly one out of every five high school students reported that they used an electronic cigarette in the past 30 days (2018). When surveyed, most e-cigarette users report that they believe that these devices are safe. This is concerning because nicotine is never safe for youth. It is estimated that one out of every 13 Americans aged 17 years or younger will die early from a tobacco-related illness. Prevention measures through education are key for preventing tobacco use. Youth cessation for current users is important to reduce long term effects of continued use.
What are the alternatives to using electronic cigarettes?
Positive coping strategies are the best choice instead of using a tobacco product. Positive coping strategies include taking a walk or picking a healthy habit. Persons can pick something that is good for them instead of using tobacco. A safe and healthy alternative is to eat celery or carrot sticks instead of using a tobacco product.
For more information about the Tobacco Cessation Counseling Program at Clermont County Public Health, contact us at 513-735-8400 or click here.
Health Departments Urge Precautions
Local health departments have issued a recreational public health advisory for the Ohio River. A harmful algal bloom (HAB) has been observed in the Ohio River near Cincinnati and areas upstream. The bloom is caused by a type of blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria.
The blue-green algae is capable of producing toxins known as microcystin. A recreational advisory is issued if the toxins reach a level between six and 20 parts per billion. The latest water samples taken by the Ohio River Valley Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) have shown toxin levels above six parts per billion at several locations along the river.
Under a recreational public health advisory, swimming and wading are not recommended for children, pregnant or nursing women and people with existing medical conditions.
People with pets are also advised to avoid pet contact with the water. If they get in the water during an algae bloom, they can ingest the toxins when they lick their fur.
“This type of algae is always present in the river water,” stated Tim Ingram, Hamilton County Health Commissioner. “But, if the weather conditions are right, the algae can spread rapidly, causing a bloom.”
Ohio EPA, ORANSCO and Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW) are monitoring Ohio River water quality and will continue to do so over the weekend.
Public water systems have water treatment processes designed to remove toxins if they occur. Drinking water has not been affected at this time, according to GCWW.
Under the right conditions, blue-green algae can bloom in water – usually in lakes, ponds and slow-moving rivers – when there is sunlight, warm temperatures and excessive amounts of nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) in the water. “These blooms are not uncommon this time of year,” says Clermont County Health Commissioner Julianne Nesbit. “Sunny, warm and dry weather is the perfect recipe to create an algae bloom.”
Although many species of blue-green algae do not produce toxins, some species can cause a HAB. Some HABs are visible as thick mats or scum on the surface of the water. These mats may look like spilled paint and can vary in color, including bluish-green, bright green, or even red or maroon.
HABs can produce toxic chemicals which may make people and pets sick depending upon the amount and type of exposure. This is especially true for the very young, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems. Types of exposure include swallowing HABs-contaminated water, skin contact, and inhaling aerosolized water droplets. HABs toxins can cause a rash, hives, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and more severe symptoms at higher levels of exposure.
“Many people will be enjoying water-related activities this weekend” said Melba Moore, Cincinnati Health Commissioner. She continued, “We encourage everyone to enjoy the water while being mindful of river conditions.”
Avoid water that:
Wash after swimming.
In some cases, skin irritation will appear after prolonged exposure. If symptoms persist, consult your health care provider.
Prevent pets and livestock from coming into contact or ingesting water containing harmful algal blooms.
If you or your pet comes into contact with blue-green algae, rinse off with clean, fresh water as soon as possible.
Seek medical attention if you become sick after recreating on the river and think you may have had contact with HABs. Contact your veterinarian if your pet gets sick.
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Photo: Blue-green algae in the Ohio River at Point Pleasant, OH. Friday September 27, 2019.
