Health briefs: Terra State offering COVID tests to to students, employees

By: 
Press Staff Writer

        Terra State Community College began offering COVID-19 testing on campus to students and employees on Sept. 29.
        In partnership with the Bellevue Hospital, the College will be administering RT-PCR test, which is done by nasopharyngeal swab administered by Terra State medical assisting students. This test type will indicate if there is an active infection or not. The samples with be taken to The Bellevue Hospital where they will be sent to LabCorp to be analyzed. Results for the test can take between two and five business days before results are communicated to the person being tested via an app and their residing county’s health department.
        Tests will be available to students and employees that are symptomatic, have been in contact with some who tested positive, caring for someone who has tested positive or needs test results for a job.
        “I am excited to have COVID-19 testing available for our employees and students. We have been taking direct steps in line with the recommendations put forth by the CDC, local health departments, and Gov. DeWine,” said Jennifer Kin, Campus Safety Manager and COVID-19 coordinator. “I believe that this will also give us a more comprehensive picture of this virus on our campus. Our top priority is keeping our campus community safe.”
        If Sandusky County sees a spike in case numbers, Terra State is willing to open the testing lab for the public to have the opportunity to be tested. At this time, no public requests will be accepted.
        COVID-19 testing is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-11 a.m. Students and employees looking to be tested are asked to email covid19testing@terra.edu first to make an appointment. Students, employees and visitors are also asked to email covid19@terra.edu if they are symptomatic or have tested positive.
        Terra State is currently in the process of implementing a COVID-19 dashboard at terra.edu/covid19 to display current case numbers between students and employees.
 
Distracted Driving Initiative
        The Ohio State Highway Patrol is launching a distracted driving initiative on Interstate 75 in Wood County.
        The Patrol will focus on the section of Interstate 75 between the Greensburg Pike overpass and the Wood and Lucas County line to combat distracted driving.
        From 2015 through 2019, OSHP crash data showed this section of Interstate 75 had 2,496 crashes, with 536 resulting in injuries and eight resulting in fatalities. Motorists will see an increased presence of troopers within this area in an effort to reduce crashes.
        Last year, 48 people lost their lives and 7,200 were injured in 13,532 crashes as a result of distracted driving. Sending or receiving a text message takes a driver’s eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, the equivalent of driving the length of an entire football field when traveling 55 mph.
        “The dangers of distracted driving are apparent to everyone, but motorists still choose to participate in this dangerous behavior,” said Lt. Angel Burgos, Bowling Green Post commander. “The purpose of this initiative is to bring further awareness, enforcement, and education to the problem of distracted driving.”
        The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration describes distracted driving as any non-driving activity with the potential to distract a person from the primary task of driving and increase the risk of crashing. Distractions can be visual, taking eyes off of the road; manual, taking hands off the wheel; or cognitive, taking the mind off driving. Texting while driving is an example that results in all three types of distraction.
        The public is encouraged to use #677 to report dangerous or impaired drivers, as well as drug activity. Additional crash information is available from the OSTATS dashboard at www.statepatrol.ohio.gov/ostats.aspx#gsc.tab=0.
 
Events go virtual
        Ovarian Cancer Connection’s 2020 events, including The Ellen Jackson Walk, Mary Lou Davis Glow Roll and the Teal to Toe 5K have all gone virtual this year.
        Supporters can walk, run and ride anywhere and on your own time to raise funds and awareness for the organization.
        Visit www.facebook.com/nwohio.occ for more details.
 
Nominations sought for Golden Care Awards
        The Wood County Committee on Aging, Inc. (WCCOA) is collaborating with Bowling Green Manor, Briar Hill Health Care Campus, Bridge Home Health and Hospice, Brookdale of Bowling Green, Perrysburg Commons Retirement Center, and Wood Haven Health Care to host the Golden Care Awards in honor of National Caregivers Month in November.
        The virtual ceremony will be held on Zoom on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 2 p.m.
        A caregiver is someone who provides direct care and tends to the needs of an older adult. This event will recognize the caregiving heroes in our communities, and one winner will be awarded in each of the following categories:
        • Caregivers working in a facility or home care setting (medical or professional staff).
        • Caregivers working in a facility or home care setting (support Staff: volunteer, companion caregiver, housekeeper, dietary, salon, activity, maintenance personnel).
        • COVID Champions who have been working on the front lines during the pandemic.
        • Community Caregiver (nominated by any community member or a facility).
        Nominated “Caregiver Heroes” must have been working in a facility/home care setting, or an active caregiver for a family member, friend or neighbor within the last year. Self-nominations will not be accepted. It is encouraged that the person nominating the caregiver provides a thorough explanation of why the nominee is an outstanding caregiver. The panel of judges will base their decisions on the written information provided on the nomination form.
        Nomination forms are available online at www.wccoa.net/activities/special-events or by mail, and the deadline for submissions is Monday, Oct. 19. Submit fillable PDF nomination forms and a jpeg photo of the nominee to programs@wccoa.net A 30-second video nomination may be sent in lieu of a written nomination. Information may also be submitted to the WCCOA Dropbox by request.
        These materials will be used to create a video honoring the nominees. All nominees will receive a certificate, flower, event brochure and their laminated nomination form.
        For more information, contact the Wood County Committee on Aging’s Programs Department through the above email or by calling 419-353-5661 or 800-367-4935.
        For information on WCCOA programs and services, visit www.wccoa.net.
 
Magruder Hospital offering flu shots
        Adult flu shots will be given in The Pharmacy at Magruder Hospital in Port Clinton.
        The Pharmacy, located at the end of the same building as Urgent Care, is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. No appointment is required and the Pharmacy can bill insurances, so bring insurance cards.
        For pediatric flu vaccinations, parents/guardians are advised to check with their primary care providers or the Ottawa County Health Department.
 
 
 
 

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