The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Robert Redfield issued this stark warning about the worsening death toll from the coronavirus on Thursday. He stated that “We are in the timeframe now that probably for the next 60 to 90 days we’re going to have more deaths per day than we had at 9/11 or we had at Pearl Harbor.” A proportionate impact may be true for Ohio and Franklin County if we don’t take dramatic steps now to slow the spread of the virus. FCPH strongly endorses the new Stay Safe Ohio Protocol unveiled by Governor DeWine yesterday. These steps are simple and straightforward. They are doable. They are critical. We urge our residents to join us to follow the steps to help get Ohio through the next 21 days
Stay at home
Wear your mask
Keep interactions short and stay apart
Wash your hands
Work from home
Celebrate safe, celebrate small
Don’t eat or drink with anyone outside of your household
Limit travel
Keep weddings and funerals safe
Enjoy safe holiday activities
Also be sure to continue to follow the retail mask requirement and curfew orders issued by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). The Columbus and Franklin County Stay at Home Advisory remains in place until December 18. Please know we will be working with our partners at Columbus Public Health to determine if that Advisory will be extended.
In alignment with changes at CDC and ODH, FCPH updated our quarantine guidance this week. Self-quarantine may end after 10 days have passed since last contact to the person with COVID-19 if you have not had any symptoms. All close contacts should continue to monitor for symptoms and assure proper mask wearing for 14 days.
Finally, FCPH is working diligently on vaccine distribution plans. Health care workers, including staff in long-term care facilities, and first responders will be the first to get the vaccine. It will take time before enough vaccine is available to everyone. As we learn more about how much vaccine we will receive here in Franklin County and how it will be distributed we will share that information. Visit the new vaccine page on our website for the most current information.
Joe Mazzola, MPA
Franklin County Health Commissioner