Staff Writer
ST. CLAIRSVILLE The number of seniors hospitalized with COVID-19 is declining nationwide, but health officials continue the drive to convince younger people to receive the vaccine.
When vaccinations were first made available, Ohio’s vulnerable senior citizens were prioritized along with front-line health care workers and other essential professionals. Belmont County Deputy Health Commissioner Robert Sproul had 800 second doses ready at Thursday’s vaccination clinic at the Ohio Valley Mall, and 300 first doses available. He mentioned, though, that the number of people choosing to be vaccinated with the first dose has decreased.
“We are seeing school-age kids and families around the county, non-specific in age or location, on the positives (test results),” he texted.
Staff Writer
BELLAIRE Belmont County residents who live near the Ohio River were vaccinated against COVID-19 close to home in Bellaire Wednesday.
Health department staff were at the Salvation Army, then the high school. Bellaire Local Schools Superintendent Darren Jenkins said about 22 students ages 16 and 17 had signed up for shots, along with several 18-year-olds.
“We were very surprised and pleased with the level of interest among our kids,” he said. “We’re looking at 30-35 students today who are interested in getting the vaccine.”
Jenkins said about eight staff members who had elected not to be vaccinated during an earlier clinic for teachers also received shots. He said the vaccines are lifting an emotional and mental “cloud” with the promise of normalcy.
Times Leader Staff Writer
Belmont County Deputy Health Commissioner Robert Sproul reports Monday to the health board that COVID-19 vaccinations will begin at Belmont College this week.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE The Belmont County Health Department board is anticipating vaccinating college students this week against the COVID-19 pandemic, and will approach the county commissioners about the possibility of a new and bigger headquarters in the future.
Board member Joel Braido suggested the board might speak with the Belmont County Board of Commissioners in the near future about expanding the headquarters.
As usual since the pandemic reached its peak, the health board met in the command center of the Belmont County Emergency Management Agency where social distancing guidelines of about six feet between people could be maintained.
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Staff Writer
T-L Photo/ ROBERT A. DEFRANK
Katie Tidwell of Newcomerstown, student at Belmont College, receives a COVID-19 vaccination Tuesday. There has been a pause in the Johnson and Johnson version after six severe blood clotting reactions nationwide, but the other versions of the vaccine remain in use.
COLUMBUS During his Tuesday press conference, Gov. Mike DeWine addressed the pause in the administering of the Johnson and Johnson version of the COVID-19 vaccine, as directed by the Center for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration.
DeWine said there have so far been six known cases of severe blood clot issues reported among the 6.8 million recipients of the vaccine nationwide. The clotting issues have occurred in women ages 18 to 48. The reactions have occurred within six-to-13 days after vaccination.