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Times Leader Staff Writer ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Fewer people are electing to be vaccinated against COVID-19, but doses are still available. Belmont County Deputy Health Commissioner Robert Sproul said people vaccinated in Belmont County are overwhelmingly senior citizens who are more vulnerable to death or long-term conditions from the coronavirus. Sproul said a relatively high number of younger people who are more active socially, and thus more likely to spread the virus, also have received the shots. This leaves a less-motivated middle demographic. “On May 3 we had 24 positives. Nobody was ...

Staff Writer ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Belmont County’s senior citizens can look forward to a step-by-step return to activities and events at area senior centers if COVID-19 cases decline as anticipated. During a report to the Belmont County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, Senior Services Director Dwayne Pielech said he was encouraged by the high number of vaccinated senior citizens in Belmont County combined with the improving weather and the prospect of holding outdoor events. “The coronavirus and all the rules and regulations that go with it have been difficult on Americans, and it’s...

Staff Writer ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Area senior citizens will have the chance to get some fresh produce from local farmers this summer and fall. Belmont County Senior Services Director Dwayne Pielech told commissioners Wednesday that the Senior Farmers’ Market will operate May 1 through October for eligible seniors. Pielech said $50 voucher coupons will be provided for use at local farmers’ markets and roadside stands, which will be open in that timeframe. Once approved, participating seniors will have summer and fall to spend their ten $5 coupons. Pielech said COVID-19 is one more barrier t...

Staff Writer ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Hundreds of Belmont County residents age 75 and older received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine Thursday. Meanwhile, the statewide curfew now has a later start time — it was moved from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. and is in effect until 5 a.m. daily. The state’s schools are also expected to be informed today about when their staff members will be able to receive their vaccinations. The Belmont County Senior Services Department hosted the shot clinic. “It was a real efficient operation,” Senior Services Director Dwayne Pielech said. “I don’t think anybody...

Staff Writer ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Gov. Mike DeWine continues to ask Ohio nursing home workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19. “We’ve made nursing homes a priority because over half our deaths in the state of Ohio have occurred in nursing homes. Our goal is to get as many people in nursing homes — residents as well as those who work in nursing homes — the opportunity to take the shot as quickly as they can,” DeWine said. He said 61 percent of Ohio nursing homes have been visited by those who are administering vaccinations. Several staffers were vaccinated during the governor’...