NEWS
Health experts from Cincinnati’s hospitals brief media March 12 about COVID-19 preparations P H OTO : N I C K S WA RT S E L L
Are Cincinnati’s Hospitals and Other Key Systems Ready for COVID-19? Health officials and elected leaders say the new virus will cause a wave of sick people to miss work and seek medical treatment. Here is how they are preparing. BY N I C K S WA RT S E L L
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hio’s top health official says as many as 100,000 people may have an undiagnosed case of novel coronavirus, or COVID-19 — a figure that could put strain on a number of the state’s vital systems soon. As Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton made that stunning announcement on March 12, executives and physicians from five area hospital systems said they’ve been working to prepare for the outbreak that is likely coming to Greater Cincinnati. CEOs from Bon Secours Mercy Health, UC Health, TriHealth, The
Christ Hospital and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital spoke on their efforts through a collective group called the Health Collaborative to make sure the area’s medical systems have enough capacity to handle those who may get the sickest from the virus. Mayor John Cranley and Hamilton County Commission President Denise Driehaus were also at the briefing. The group of local health leaders and medical experts faced some tough questions about what is to come. But they say they’re working together and preparing for a coming
surge in demand, especially if Greater Cincinnati residents take proper steps to keep from getting the virus and avoid going to the hospital if they don’t need urgent, life-saving care. Hospitals aren’t the only ones taking extraordinary measures: On March 15, shortly after Ohio confirmed its 37th case of COVID-19, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine ordered all restaurants and bars cease dine-in service for an indeterminate amount of time. He said the move could save many lives. “If we don’t take these actions now, it will be too late,” DeWine said at a March 15 briefing. “This is a matter of life and death. We’re very mindful of the economic hurt for individuals who will lose their jobs. Look, this is brutally tough. And my heart goes out to them. But we have to do what we have to do to save their lives. And not just their lives but the lives of others.” The closures come with an executive order from the governor extending unemployment benefits for displaced workers, as well as potential federal loans to small businesses.
What is COVID-19? COVID-19 is a new variant of coronavirus that emerged late last year around Wuhan, China. The U.S. had seen roughly 3,200 cases and 60 deaths so far
at press time. (This number is always being updated and you can find the most recent information on the CDC website at cdc.gov.) Most cases of the virus — about eight in 10 — are mild enough they won’t require hospitalization, especially among the young and healthy. Others will be moderate cases, but about 5 percent will be serious. “I recognize that this is a significant health challenge for our communities,” UC Health CEO Dr. Rick Lofgren said. “What I want to say is that we’re prepared. This is a community that has had to take time to think well in advance in cases like this about how we would respond. I have great confidence in the fact that we’ve been working among all the health systems to make sure we’re prepared.” Ohio Department of Health Director Acton said at a news conference in Columbus that, due to signs of socalled “community spread” of the virus presented in some of Ohio’s cases, 1 percent of the state’s population — more than 100,000 people — could have the disease but be undiagnosed. Acton also said 40 percent or more of Ohio’s population could end up contracting the virus over time. If the percentage of serious cases holds in
MARCH 18-31, 2020
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