Two more Summit County residents have died from COVID-19, according to a news release from Summit County Public Health. The deaths occurred on Feb. 5 and 6. There have now been a total of at least six deaths in Summit County from COVID-19, according to Summit Daily News records.
There are discrepancies between the state and county’s death statistics and previous reporting by the Summit Daily. The county’s website currently lists seven total deaths among COVID-19 cases, however the Summit Daily previously has reported four deaths due to COVID-19 in addition to two individuals who were positive for COVID-19 but died of other causes the same information provided by the county in a news release Dec. 28
Tony Dejak / Associated Press
Originally published on January 21, 2021 3:29 pm
Ohio s public health departments are getting something Gov. Mike DeWine says they ve wanted for a long time: rapid, at-home COVID-19 tests. DeWine on Thursday announced a partnership with Abbott Labs and digital health care company eMed to administer the rapid antigen tests.
The state will spend $50 million in CARES Act funds for the tests – which will buy 2 million tests at $25 each.
Abbott Labs will provide the tests and eMed personnel will offer live guidance to help people properly administer the test in their homes. People are anxious. They re perfectly willing and glad to do [a test] at home so they don t have to go anywhere, but they want to make sure they re performing the test correctly, said eMed CEO Dr. Patrice Harris, a psychiatrist and former president of the American Medical Association, said during the governor s coronavirus briefing.
Public and private EMS workers were among the first Ohioans eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, but only about 40% locally opted to get the first dose, according to Summit County Public Health. We did some pre-surveys, so it is what we were expecting, Summit County Public Health Public Information Officer Marlene Martin said. We were hoping for a higher turnout. Obviously, our ideal would have been 100%.
The county started administering the first dose of the Moderna vaccine to EMS workers on Dec. 26 as part of Ohio s phased approach. Distribution of the second dose will begin Jan. 23.
The state is currently in Phase 1A. Hospitals, local health departments and health care systems are distributing vaccines to essential workers in health care settings; pharmacies are distributing to long-term care and nursing home residents and staff; and the local health departments are administering to congregate care staff and residents, EMS first responders and any remaining long-term ca