COVID-19

Update April 15, 2021

Since this story published on March 23, 2021, Sew Masks 4 Cincy founder Esther Kang now says it's time for the project to end.

Hamilton County officials are encouraging people to get COVID-19 vaccinations despite the recent Janssen Johnson & Johnson pause. Commission Vice President Alicia Reece worries the pause will increase vaccine hesitancy, especially among African Americans.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear says the recent pause on the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine isn't "helpful," but it shouldn't hinder the state's vaccine rollout.

The governor was in Erlanger Wednesday to congratulate St. Elizabeth Healthcare for administering its 100,000th COVID-19 vaccine.

Hamilton County's health commissioner says the pause in Johnson & Johnson vaccine allocations won't hinder vaccine rollout in the region.

The CDC recommended pausing inoculations of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine Tuesday out of an "abundance of caution" while an investigation is conducted into reports of apparently rare, potentially dangerous blood clots developing after some individuals received the vaccine.

Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine trials at Cincinnati Children's Hospital show similar vaccine efficacy in kids and adults. Children vaccinated during the trial have not become infected.

Late last month, the medical center began inoculating children ages 5 to 11 years old with the vaccine as part of a dose-finding trial. Currently, eight kids from 5 to 11 are being observed along with five children aged between 2 and 4.

FEMA is now accepting applications for help paying for COVID-19 related funeral expenses. The agency is offering up to $9,000 for funeral costs for each person who has died from COVID-19 since Jan. 20, 2020.

All Hamilton County employees will be returning to work in-person by June 1. County Administrator Jeff Aloutto sent out a memo to county employees Wednesday morning about the return date. Commissioner Denise Driehaus says this could be subject to change, but there will be exceptions to who can return.

Community leaders launched a regional effort to vaccinate 80% of the population of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky by July 4.

"Get Out The Vax" weekends will take place during the second and fourth weekends in April and May. According to the Health Collaborative, there will be more than 20,000 appointments across the Cincinnati region spread out across 20 providers. Free Metro and TANK rides will be available for the Get Out the Vax weekends, as well as free Lyft rides.

Cincinnati Public Schools will have classes in-person five days a week next year and will include options for remote learning. CPS' Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution Monday that offers choices between five days of in-person and remote instruction, and includes the possibility of blended learning.

It's been 105 days since St. Elizabeth Healthcare offered 96 vaccines the first day they were available. Now, it can provide 1,400 per day. Senator Mitch McConnell visited St. Elizabeth's Training and Education Center in Erlanger Wednesday morning to commend workers for their efforts distributing the COVID-19 vaccine and helping put a stopper on the pandemic.

COVID-19 cases continue to "plateau" in Hamilton County as most of the area gears up for Reds Opening Day. Officials are requesting people attending Great American Ball Park on Thursday do so responsibly and keep their distance in the DORA district.

The Jewish holiday of Passover begins at sundown on Saturday. The week-long Jewish observance is a time to gather and remember family traditions, something many were unable to do in 2020 as Passover fell shortly after the coronavirus shutdowns.

Mass vaccinations could be the beginning of the end of the coronavirus pandemic and the health orders and life disruptions that have come with it. There are some people who may not be excited about returning to the workplace.

Hoxworth Blood Center and Community Blood Center are no longer collecting convalescent plasma from people who had COVID-19. Both agencies say there's plenty of the blood product available if needed, but it's largely been ruled out as a treatment for COVID-19 patients.

One in four Hamilton County residents have started receiving COVID-19 vaccinations. However, there's still a lot of viral activity.

Ohio townships are asking to be included in funding under the federal American Rescue Plan. A terminology difference between the House and Senate versions of the stimulus plan makes it unclear if townships are considered local government entities.

As more people are eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine, some Ohioans are finding frustration after booking appointments in neighboring states only to be turned away at the door.