By: Rebecca Miller
As a Press Release was sent out on April 8, 2020 informing readers that the second Williams County Lab Confirmed Case of COVID19, and the first to be cared for at Community Hospitals of Williams County, has occured, that was an important topic addressed on the Press Conference call on Friday, April 9, 2020.
Hospital president Chad Tinkel said on the call, “ The adult patient was treated and kept in isolation. The CHWC staff worked diligently to keep the virus isolated by quarantine for the patient as well as keeping themselves protected. I am happy to report that all of the staff who cared for this patient had donned the appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).
That staff is self monitoring now. PPE was well used and we continue to work on getting more PPE for all staff,” Tinkel said. He also expressed appreciation for all the cooperation in the community. During a Q&A, Tinkel said that the patient is no longer at CHWC.
Rachel Aeschliman, Director of Nursing at the Health Department, shared the CDC numbers as she began. She then said that the department “Continues to do Contact Tracing for disease investigation, interviewing people to identify anyone who may have come in contact with them.
Most important thing is social distancing. We know that there are some people who won’t show symptoms so we have to assume it is everywhere and do only essential activities!” She also said that Williams County is holding the line well as nearby in Hillsdale County, in Michigan, they have sixty-four lab-confirmed cases and in Allen County in Indiana they have 105 lab-confirmed cases.
Present on the call were Health Commissioner James Watkins and Aeschliman from the Health Department; from the hospital were President/CEO Chad Tinkel, VP/Chief Information Officer Wade Patrick, Assistant AP of Ancillary Services Bobbi Case, Director of Infection Prevention Vickie Shaffer and Marketing Specialist Jess Hesgard; Rob Giesige from ADAMhs Board; Chasity Yoder from United Way; and from the press were Bryan Times’ Ron Osborn and The Village Reporter’s Rebecca Miller.
Watkins pointed out that it was National Public Health Week and he is very pleased with how the State of Ohio has taken a big lead. “The closures have been very helpful and we want to thank the public for their adherence to that, as it has played a key role in what Ohio is seeing in regards to our efforts, having an effect to reduce the amount of COVID,” he said.
He went on to mention that the partnership of all involved is going very well, saying that Parkview Physicians and CHWC, EMS, EMA , Law enforcement, United Way and ADAMhs board, and local politicians. “We really are all in this together.”
Rob Giesige, CEO for ADAMhs (Four County Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services) reported to the group assembled on the call, that all their agencies are OPEN for Mental Health Assistance, especially for crisis. “It is almost completely by phone,” he said, “But if there is someone who needs some Face to Face time, we are working with it case by case.
Everyone needs to be sure to take time for good mental health.” He answered that there has been an increase in calls on the Hotline and in the office so they are getting staffed with prevention staff to carry the load.
Maumee Valley Guidance Center has info now to give to first responders in the Four County area and that should help. On April 1, the Director of Mental Health and Services gave out a list of ideas to help people stay mentally healthy:
– Mental health and addiction services list
- maintain a routine schedule in your home
- If you live alone reach out to family members each day by phone or internet
- reach out to food pantries if there is a need
- check on neighbors
- stay in touch with Primary Doctor and mental health and addiction counselors
- volunteer if you can to help others
- help your kids reach out to their friends, so they don’t go stir crazy.
- have peer support on telephone
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)i health line is available, 800-950-6264. Also the State department is hosting Mental Health Mondays and has a call at 6 p.m for needed support.
Chasity Yoder from Williams County United Way shared that they continue to get donations to meet the Bryan matched $10,000 and have raised around $8000. “We are in this together and we will get through this together,” she said.
“The amount of collaboration in the community is amazing! We have had several volunteers reach out to offer assistance in a number of ways, and I am proud to say I am from Williams County.”
The hospital did add that they are sending masks to Battelle, and have used the machine from Daavlin to sanitize masks but have not reused any of those yet, until the FDA fives it approval. Daavlin is working with the FDA and they feel it is days away from approval.
Watkins ended with a statement that he believes that Governor DeWine and Dr. Amy Acton have “taken the bull by the horns” and that Williams County is following their lead. “Each day is a new game. Keep doing well. They do believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel but we all must continue on the path we are on and not let up!”
Rebecca can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com