view all news
Complete Story
 

02/27/2020

Ohio Department of Health Issues Notice to Physicians Regarding Coronavirus

 

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) sent the below letter today to health care providers who participate in the Ohio Health Alert Network with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention given increasing concern that community person-to-person spread eventually will occur in the U.S. as it has recently in other countries such as South Korea, Italy, and Iran.

You can also find more information about COVID-19, resources, and the latest developments on ODH’s website at www.odh.ohio.gov/coronavirus.


 

February 25, 2020

From Mark Hurst, MD
Medical Director, Ohio Department of Health

 

Dear Health Care Provider:

As you are undoubtedly aware, coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues to be an issue of concern nationally and internationally. To date, containment measures have been effective in minimizing the impact in the United States and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to consider the health risk from COVID-19 to be low among the general public in the U.S. However, there is increasing concern that eventually community person-to-person spread will occur here as it has recently in countries such as South Korea, Italy, and Iran. In this event, our country will need to address COVID-19 by taking steps that ensure we have the human and material resources necessary to combat this virus for the long haul. Our communities will need to implement mitigation strategies to minimize disease spread and providers should be prepared for a surge in patients with COVID-19. In severe circumstances, such a surge could present significant resource issues.

Health care facilities address such concerns on a regular basis in preparedness drills and tabletop exercises. Differences exist in each outbreak or pandemic situation, and lessons learned from past events may not fully cover a new event as it evolves.

As you prepare for potential person-to-person spread in your respective areas, I would like to highlight the latest guidance from the CDC, and encourage you to review and incorporate in your planning.

 View the Full Guidance Letter >

 

 

Printer-Friendly Version