COVID-19 pandemic may be endemic soon

WAPAKONETA - Auglaize County Health Department staff expressed relief as COVID-19 cases continue to decline, following a trend across the state and nation.

Nursing director Jessica Wuebker during Tuesday's board of health meeting reported cases of COVID-19 have decreased significantly during the past month.

"We were over 2,500 cases in January, and we're just over 300 for February," Wuebker said. "So that was a very welcome change."

Dr. Juan Torres, medical director of the occupational health program at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital and at the Auglaize health department, said he was happy Tuesday's board meeting was more "normal" because COVID-19 was discussed like any other disease.

"We are on the other side, almost, of the bridge already," Torres said. "This pandemic shows if you unite all the resources that you have around, you can create vaccines, you can create treatments and you can create a lot of good things."

Torres noted cases have declined not only in Ohio and the U.S., but also globally. COVID-19 is still prevalent, he said, but not at a level to disrupt daily life. Torres also said signs indicate the pandemic is shifting toward an endemic scenario.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines endemic as the "constant presence and/or usual prevalence" of a disease within a population in a certain geographic area. An endemic disease spreads at a baseline level every year without causing major disruption to people's lives.

Torres cited COVID-19 vaccines, natural base immunity and treatments such as monoclonal antibodies and an oral medication by Pfizer as reasons the pandemic may move to being classified as an endemic.

However, Torres said the World Health Organization has cautioned a more dangerous variant could emerge in countries with low vaccination rates, high hospitalizations, high deaths, little testing and little to no access to treatment.

"According to WHO, governments need to support their people to protect themselves and others with high vaccination coverage," Torres said. "The goal is to turn vaccines into vaccinations. I hope we choose to have a low endemic situation from now on."

Board members on Tuesday also,

• approved an inclement weather policy.

• approved workforce development plan revisions.

• authorized spending no more than $400 to cover food costs for the employee service recognition luncheon.

• approved the 2022 CDC recommended adult, child and adolescent immunization schedule.

• noted the annual District Advisory Council (DAC) meeting is 8:30 a.m. March 28 in-person with the option to attend virtually.

• invited county EMA director Troy Anderson into an executive session to discuss litigation. No action was taken after the 40-minute session, according to health commissioner Oliver Fisher.

The next board of health meeting is 8:30 a.m. April 12 in the board conference room at the health department in Wapakoneta.