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LISBON -- For the second week in a row Columbiana County had no new deaths reported connected to COVID-19.
The Columbiana County Health Department also reported a decrease in the number of new cases. A week ago there were 365 new cases, but this week, since Jan. 22, there have been 211 new cases. That is an average of 30 positive cases per day.
There have been 7,554 residents test positive since the beginning of the pandemic. Of those 127 have died and another 6,968 have recovered.
For a second week in a row, the county health department and their 13 partner locations around the county have been working to vaccinate the older residents in the county.
According to the Ohio Department of Health, 2,417 county residents ages 80 and older have received their first vaccine dose, which is 46.5 percent of the county's population in that age range. Another 965 residents ages 70-79 have received their first dose, which is 10.4 percent of that population.
Overall, 6,257 county residents have started the vaccine, which is 6.1 percent of the population.
These numbers did not include around 500 people who received their vaccines at the Columbiana County Vaccination Complex at the county fairgrounds on Friday.
As of 1:30 p.m., mass vaccination coordinator Laura Fauss of the health department reported 459 had been vaccinated so far, including 40 not on the reservation list, who still were 75 and older or a health care workers, who had been missed.
Fauss still expected about 40 more people who were on the list and had not yet arrived. The vaccination clinic was going to stay open until 3 p.m. after officially opening at 9 a.m., although vehicles were allowed to enter the fairgrounds a little earlier to get into line.
Next week will be the beginning of vaccinations for those 70 and up with an emphasis on those 75 and older.
Health Commissioner Wes Vins said the health department will continue to accept reservations by phone for those interested in those age groups, noting it is important for the residents to know a vaccine with their name on it is waiting for them at the county fairgrounds on a particular day. The county has two telephone numbers, 330-692-2210 or 330-429-5133, which operate between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
The number of vaccines available for the clinic for next week are not yet known.
In addition to those vaccines, next week will begin vaccinations for school employees. The health department has been working with the Educational Service Center and the superintendents of other schools to coordinate the effort, which will start with Beaver Local, Columbiana and East Palestine next week.
The majority of Columbiana County's other schools are on the list for week two of the school distribution -- Buckeye On-Line School for Success, the county ESC, Crestview, East Liverpool Christian School, East Liverpool City Schools, Heartland Christian, Leetonia, Lisbon, Pleasant Heights Baptist Church, Salem City, Salem Wesleyan Academy, Serenity Hill Academy, Southern Local, St. Paul, United Local, Utica Shale Academy of Ohio and Wellsville.
The school personnel will be vaccinated in their buildings without an interruption to the other vaccination efforts by the health department.
In mid-February, Fauss said they will be expanding the target population adding those with severe congenital, developmental or early-onset medical disorders listed in Ohio's Vaccination Distribution Plan. Some of the disabilities include cerebral palsy, spina bifida, severe congenital heart disease, severe type one diabetics who have required hospitalization within the past year, as well as lung disease, neurological disorders, metabolic disorders and genetic disorders.
Although Fauss said the county has not received all the guidance, it may be a good time to contact your doctor if you have one of the disorders on the list and obtain a prescription or letter from the resident doctor indicating you are someone who fits into the Phase 1B list of health conditions.
Vins emphasized the shots all come from different amounts of vaccines being allotted for group homes, school employees and the elderly residents.
Overall, Vins and Fauss said the health department and members of the Vaccine Task Force continue to work to keep vaccines moving through the system and getting them into the arms of county residents as soon as they are eligible. Friday's clinic included help from the Community Emergency Response Team, residents from the East Liverpool City Hospital, Lisbon Police and the county Sheriff's Office. Vins also said the county Engineer Bert Dawson had a crew put salt onto the fairgrounds roads twice to make sure they were clear for those coming to Friday's clinic.
Several clinics are also planned by the partners next week:
-- The Community Action Agency in East Liverpool and in Lisbon, noon to 4 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 2, (330-424-5686)
-- The Community Action Agency in Salineville, 2 to 3 p.m., Monday, Feb. 1 and 1 to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 3, (330-424-5686)
-- Discount Drug Mart in Lisbon, pharmacy hours, (330-870-1190)
-- East Liverpool City Health District, Feb. 1-4, (330-385-5123)
-- East Liverpool City Hospital, 9 a.m. to noon, and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Friday Feb. 5 (330-386-3590)
-- Giant Eagle Pharmacy-- Calcutta (330-385-2327)
-- Giant Eagle Pharmacy-- East Liverpool (330-385-7554)
-- Giant Eagle Pharmacy-- Salem (330-332-0141)
-- Marc's Pharmacy (www.marcs.com)
-- Salem City Health District, Feb. 2 and 3 (330-332-1618)
-- Salem Regional Medical Center, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 4 (330-332-7511)
-- Walgreens -- Salem (www.walgreens.com)
djohnson@mojonews.com