Ohio Names First Sites to Administer Vaccine

The Ohio Department of Health has identified 10 sites across the state that will receive the pre-positioned vaccine after a COVID-19 vaccine is given emergency-use authorization. Once the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices issues its recommendation on how to use the vaccine, these sites will begin administering the vaccine immediately to those who choose to receive it and are identified as able to receive it in the first stage. The sites are:

Region 1 Lucas County
Mercy Health St. Vincent Hospital

Region 2 Cuyahoga County
Cleveland Clinic and Metro Health Medical Center

Region 3 Clark County
Springfield Regional Medical Center

Region 4 Franklin County
Ohio State University Hospital and OhioHealth Riverside Hospital

Region 5 Stark County
Aultman Hospital

Region 6 Hamilton County
University of Cincinnati Medical Center

Region 7 Athens County
OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital

Region 8 Muskingum County
Genesis Hospital

The ten pre-positioned sites were selected based on geography, population, and access to ultra-cold storage capacity. Other sites will begin receiving shipments of vaccine following final approval, potentially just days after the pre-positioned sites begin administering the vaccine. 

Ohio will first vaccinate those who are most at risk, including those who work in long-term care facilities, nursing homes, and other congregate-care facilities, high-risk health care workers, and first responders.  

DeWine Attends OOA Board Meeting, COVID Cases Surge

Ohioans are under a statewide curfew, 10:00 pm–5:00 am, that started last night and will last for three weeks. Gov. Mike DeWine announced the measure Tuesday as he urged Ohioans to take precautions.

The virus has been spreading rapidly throughout November. After peaking at 8,071 cases last week, a new record was set today with 8,808 new cases. On Wednesday, the daily report of coronavirus data, which normally comes out at 2:00 pm, was delayed until late in the evening. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) said its “unprecedented case volume, combined with unexpected system errors, and reduced staffing at already over-burdened local health departments due to illness, including COVID-19, led to the delay.” 

As of yesterday, there were 3,829 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Ohio, with 943 in the ICU. These are the highest patient counts Ohio has seen during the pandemic and more than double the hospitalizations recorded during previous peaks.

While statewide testing has increased by 43 percent, positive cases have increased by nearly 300 percent in the past month. 

Franklin County reached Level 4/Purple, the most severe level, with severe exposure and spread. All 88 counties remain at “high incidence” as defined by the CDC. For the first time, no counties are rated below Level 2.  Three Ohio cities issued stay-at-home advisories this week. Residents in Columbus, Cleveland and Dayton and the surrounding counties are advised to stay at home as much as possible; not have guests inside their homes; and avoid traveling in and out of state. ODH updated the travel advisory on Wednesday for states reporting coronavirus testing rates of 15% and higher.

DeWine attended the OOA Board of Trustees meeting, held via Zoom on Saturday morning. Physicians discussed vaccine distribution, the impact of state orders, and other issues related to pandemic planning. DeWine said Ohio is expected to receive 35,000 units of the vaccine in December with priority distribution to nursing homes. State polling indicates that just more than half of Ohioans would not be willing to get the vaccine. Physicians, the OOA, and other health care organizations will all be tasked with communicating to patients and the public about the importance of getting vaccinated.

Separately, a member of the DeWine team attended the meeting to discuss rapid antigen testing for licensed independent practitioners.

The Governor’s office has provided a communication fact sheet specifically for health care. The document provides COVID-19 messaging, industry information, suggested social media posts, talking points, and more. 

Order by Nov 23!
N95 Respirators for Sale at Special Price

The OOA has partnered with ActionPPE.org and 30+ medical associations on a group buying program to procure 500,000 Honeywell H910 Plus NIOSH N95 respirators at $3.85 each. It’s a rare opportunity for us to secure highly-prized PPE in critically short supply during the this latest wave of COVID-19. 

Honeywell is one of the largest and highest grade N95 manufacturers in America with a 100-year track record of innovation and quality. The primary Honeywell N95 factory has GUARANTEED us access at below-market prices to help private practices secure vital PPE.

This is a limited time offer. Pre-order a minimum of two boxes (100 units) by November 23 to reserve your stock. Orders will begin shipping December 14. But if we don’t reach the minimum and can’t place the order, you will receive a prompt refund. There is no risk. 

For more information and the form for pre-ordering this group buy go to https://actionppe.org/n95.

Lima Republicans to Lead General Assembly

House Republicans voted this week to retain Rep. Bob Cupp, of Lima, as speaker for the next legislative session. His team includes Reps. Tim Ginter (R-Salem) as speaker pro tempore; Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) retaining his spot as majority floor leader; Rick Carfagna (R-Genoa Township) as assistant majority floor leader; Don Jones (R-Freeport) as majority whip; and Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison) as assistant majority whip. The appointments will not be final until a formal vote on the House floor during the opening day of the 134th General Assembly in January. The informal caucus vote was expected after Cupp and Seitz, his chief rival, struck a deal prompting the latter to sit out the race.

Another Lima resident, Sen. Matt Huffman, was selected to serve as Senate president starting in January. He succeeds term-limited Sen. Larry Obhof. The majority caucus leadership also includes Sens. Jay Hottinger (R-Newark) as president pro tempore; Kirk Schuring (R-Canton) as majority floor leader; and Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) as majority whip.

In other Statehouse news, the APRN scope of practice expansion legislation, HB 177, was removed from this week’s Health Committee agenda. No doubt this issue could pop up again in the coming weeks. So if you haven’t already, please send an email to your state representative. Urge them to vote no on HB 177! Thank you to those who have already taken action and sent messages.

SB 311 was approved by the legislature, but Gov. Mike DeWine has promised to veto it. The bill would limit the authority of the governor and the Ohio Department of Health, specifically prohibiting them from issuing quarantine or isolation orders.

Many bills the OOA engages will be considered during lame duck as this General Assembly comes to a close, so stay tuned!

Medical Board Sets Meeting on Proposed Weight Loss Rules

The State Medical Board of Ohio continues to receive comments on proposed rule OAC 4731-11-04 (weight loss) that is currently pending with the State of Ohio’s Common Sense Initiative (CSI). 

SMBO has scheduled virtual meeting for Monday, November 23, 12:00-1:00 pm, to give interested parties the opportunity to address any new concerns that have not previously been submitted. The rule package filed with CSI which includes OAC 4731-11-04 and comments already submitted can be found here.

To join the meeting, go to https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/295721293. You can also dial in using your phone at 646-749-3122. The meeting access code is 295-721-293.

Become a COVID-19 Vaccine Provider 

If you want to administer the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available, it is critically important to enroll as soon as possible due to accelerated federal timelines. Please note that not every provider needs to have ultra-cold storage capabilities to be a COVID-19 vaccine provider.

To submit an application to become a COVID-19 vaccination provider, sign up online at the State of Ohio’s “OH|ID” and follow the steps outlined in this ODH instruction guide. Use the enrollment checklist to gather the necessary information. If you do not already have an OH|ID account, the first step will be to create one which must be reviewed and approved, usually within 24 hours.

For questions, contact the ODH COVID-19 Vaccination Provider Enrollment Team at covidvaccine@odh.ohio.gov.

Renew Your Medical License by December 1

According to the State Medical Board of Ohio, there are about 600 DOs who still need to renew their license by December 1.

Physicians with a Medical Board license set to expire between March 9, 2020, and November 30, 2020, were granted an extension because of the COVID-19 emergency. Those licenses will now expire December 1. Late fees, fines and discipline can occur for missing the renewal deadline.

To find your renewal date or renew a license, log into eLicense.ohio.gov. Contact license@med.ohio.gov for questions or assistance during the renewal process.