Health commissioner: COVID-19 vaccine coming in late 2020, early 2021

MEDINA — Plans are being made for the COVID-19 vaccine to be available for Medina County residents late this year or early 2021, Health Commissioner Krista Wasowski told Medina County commissioners Tuesday. She said there will be tiers of priority for the vaccine, which will come in two doses once it is approved for dissemination. A group of statewide experts will decide who will receive the vaccine first. Wasowski said that first group will include hospital staffers on the front line, first responders and nursing home staffers and residents. She said teachers are also in the mix, but doesn't know if they will fall in the first tier. Either way, they'll be near the top, Wasowski said. "The first doses will be precious," she said. "The first tiers will get them first." Six companies are in contention to provide the first vaccine. Possibly as early as next year, she said the COVID vaccines will be available at drug stores and grocery stores like flu shots. Eventually, possibly in the spring, she hopes students will get the vaccine since they often are carriers of the virus. "Some very young children are testing positive," she said. "They can spread it to others in the household." The health department will be involved in dispensing the vaccine. The Medina County COVID-19 numbers continue to rise. Wasowski expects about 600 new cases in October. The county already has surpassed totals for August with a week to go. The Ohio Department of Health is reporting Medina County has seen a total of 2,006 COVID-19 cases. Wasowski said there are 16 people hospitalized at Cleveland Clinic Medina Hospital after testing positive for COVID-19. She said if people feel ill, get tested, and if you test positive, answer the phone when the health department calls as it must develop contact lists. The health department also can drop off thermometers and logs to people that can't get out of the house. Wasowski cautions Halloween can be a dangerous time with people having contact without a protective mask. "I want folks in Medina County to think about how many people they are going to be around without masks," she said. "I want people to be cautious." Wasowski said she almost expected Medina County to go a red advisory level last week, but it remained orange. She said the county went from 19 positive cases Sept. 28 to 31 cases Oct. 18. "Because we didn't have four (consecutive) days of increase, we stayed orange," she said. "We are orange, but we have a lot of illness spread among us." In other news There was nearly $4 million in CARES Act funding dispersed throughout the county."It will be good to attempt to stimulate the county," Commissioner Colleen Swedyk said."All three of us have seen some tears (after handing out funds)," Commissioner Pat Geissman said. Commissioners authorized employee health care rates for 2021 with Medical Mutual of Ohio for county employees. Medina County Public Transit will replace eight vehicles that have "exceeded their useful life or unfit for the use." Three 2010 and four 2012 Chevy light transit vehicles will be replaced. They will be disposed of or sold at public auction. One Dodge van will be reallocated to the Medina County Veterans Service Office. Wayne Carroll has been reappointed to the Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities. His term will expire Dec. 31, 2024. Contact reporter Bob Finnan at (330) 721-4049 or rfinnan@medina-gazette.com.