OHA Health Clips

July 9, 2021

Business
Bon Secours Mercy Health expands C-suite following nationwide search Cincinnati Business Courier Cincinnati-based Bon Secours Mercy Health is expanding its C-suite with the addition of a former Cigna executive as part of an initiative to drive digital innovation.

Construction/Renovation
Cafaro Foundation donates $250,000 to ACH Mahoning Matters BOARDMAN — The Cafaro Foundation is donating $250,000 to Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley to fund the Major Resuscitation Room that is part of a $30 million expansion of the hospital’s Emergency Department.

Disaster Preparedness
Cleveland-area hospitals see decrease in fireworks-related injuries during July 4th weekend compared to 2020 Cleveland Plain Dealer CLEVELAND, Ohio — At least 9 people suffered fireworks related injuries during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, according to two Cleveland-area hospitals.		Global COVID-19 death toll tops 4 million; study offers indication why Delta variant is so contagious: Coronavirus update for July 9, 2021 Cleveland Plain Dealer CLEVELAND, Ohio -- More than 4 million people worldwide have now died of COVID-19, while a new study offers an indication why the Delta variant of the coronavirus is so contagious.

Mount Carmel Health System, parent company to require Covid-19 vaccinations for all employees Columbus Business First Trinity Health, parent company of Mount Carmel Health System, announced all of its employees and clinical staff members are required to be vaccinated against Covid-19, NBC4 is reporting.		Ohio reports 377 new COVID-19 cases Thursday Columbus Dispatch Ohio COVID-19 data as of Thursday, July 8 New deaths of Ohioans: 0* Deaths of Ohioans since start of the pandemic: 20,366 New and confirmed probable cases: 377 Total cases since start of the pandemic:

Mount Carmel requiring all employees to get COVID vaccine or face discipline, including possible firing Columbus Dispatch Mount Carmel Health will require all of its nearly 12,000 employees, clinical staff and volunteers to get vaccinated for COVID-19, becoming the first hospital system in the Columbus area to do so.		CareFlight showcases life-saving abilities at Air Show Dayton 24/7 Now (WGRT/WKEF) The life-saving helicopter of the Miami Valley region will fly in the feature show as well as be on display.

COVID cases show slight increase but no new deaths reported Dayton Daily News There was a marginal increase in the number of new coronavirus cases in the state, but no new deaths, according to the latest data from the Ohio Department of Health.		Phase 2 vaccine testing in young children begins at Cincinnati Children’s as school year nears Hamilton Journal News The second research phase to determine the efficacy of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children 11 and under is starting at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, the closest facility in the region to participate.

Fireworks foolishness Toledo Blade As an ill-considered bill that would legalize backyard amateur fireworks awaits the signature of Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, it seems that the region spent the long holiday weekend demonstrating why this change to Ohio law would be dangerously foolish.		Pfizer's COVID-19 booster shot strongly extends protection but CDC cautions 3rd dose not yet needed USA Today Pfizer and BioNTech say a booster shot for their COVID-19 vaccine extends protection against the coronavirus.

Why does COVID-19 impact people in different ways? Genetics play a role, study finds USA Today The study, published Thursday, confirms or newly identifies 13 genes that appear to play a role in susceptibility to infection or that affect the severity of illness.		Cincinnati Zoo to vaccinate animals against COVID-19: Which species are first? WLWT5 Cincinnati (NBC) CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Zoo is preparing to vaccinate some of its animals against COVID-19.

Vaccination rates slowing down in Jefferson County WTOV Steubenville (NBC) JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ohio — New data from the Jefferson County Health Department shows vaccination rates are slowing down, especially among younger populations.

Drugs
Pfizer COVID-19 booster shot extends strong protection, company says, vaccine being updated to target Delta variant Cincinnati Enquirer A booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine made by Pfizer and BioNTech strongly extends protection, a new study from the companies shows, and they are developing a vaccine targeted directly at the Delta variant, which first arose in India.		DeWine awards RecoveryOhio grants to drug task forces Dayton 24/7 Now (WGRT/WKEF) COLUMBUS, Ohio (WKEF) - Dozens of drug task forces across Ohio will receive grant funding said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Thursday. Over $2 million will be awarded through RecoveryOhio to support efforts to disrupt drug trafficking and promote recovery in Ohio communities. DeWine said,

Drug task forces in Mahoning, Trumbull to get nearly $130,000 in state grants Mahoning Matters "Local drug task forces are the first line of defense against the traffickers who are putting drugs into the hands of those battling addiction," said Gov. Mike DeWine.		Phase 2 vaccine testing in young children begins at Cincinnati Children’s as school year nears Springfield News Sun The second research phase to determine the efficacy of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children 11 and under is starting at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, the closest facility in the region to participate.

General
Healthcare costs expected to rise in 2022, with lingering pandemic-related costs, new report says Cleveland Plain Dealer CLEVELAND, Ohio — The long-tail of the COVID-19 pandemic will likely mean higher costs for healthcare to both consumers and insurance companies next year, according to a new report from Price Waterhouse Cooper’s Health Research Institute.		Pfizer to seek OK for 3rd vaccine dose; shots still protect Dayton 24/7 Now (WGRT/WKEF) Pfizer is about to seek U.S. authorization for a third dose of its COVID-19 vaccine, saying Thursday that another shot within 12 months could dramatically boost immunity and maybe help ward off the latest worrisome coronavirus mutant.

Nearly 40% of Hancock County completes vaccine Findlay Courier A total of 32,105 Hancock County residents have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. That is 42.36% of the county's population.		How many Americans are still social distancing? Poll finds record low for pandemic Mahoning Matters A low percentage of Americans are still social distancing from non-household members during the COVID pandemic, according to a new Gallup survey.

Was Vax-a-Million a successful incentive? New study raises questions Mahoning Matters A study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association "did not find evidence that a lottery-based incentive in Ohio was associated with increased rates of adult COVID-19 vaccinations." Gov. Mike DeWine's office calls it "flawed."		Local minorities concerned about side effects of COVID vaccines, survey shows Mansfield News Journal MANSFIELD - Black and Brown residents of Richland County unsure about getting a COVID-19 vaccine are concerned about potential side effects and the speed at which the vaccines were developed, results from a Richland Public Health survey show.

Big PBM decision undergoes its first test Ohio Capital Journal U.S. Supreme Court orders pharmacy middleman regs to be reheard		FDA trims use of contentious Alzheimer's drug amid backlash Spectrum News WASHINGTON (AP) — A month after approving a controversial new Alzheimer’s drug, U.S. health regulators on Thursday signed off on new prescribing instructions that are likely to limit its use.

COVID vaccines still work against delta variant, researchers find Spectrum News New research from France adds to evidence that widely used COVID-19 vaccines still offer strong protection against a coronavirus mutant that is spreading rapidly around the world and now is the most prevalent variant in the U.S.		New Clark County task seeks to become additional support for nursing home residents Springfield News Sun A newly formed group in Clark County is working to bring awareness and “improve the quality of life” for the senior population, especially those in nursing homes. The Clark County Senior Citizens Task Force was created by Springfield Salvation Army De ...

Ohio COVID-19 cases rise above 300 2nd straight day Youngstown Vindicator For the second day in a row, Ohio reported more than 300 new COVID-19 cases — the first time that’s happened in about two weeks.		Large gifts kick-start Akron Children’s Hospital $30M expansion Youngstown Vindicator BOARDMAN — The emergency department at Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley has received sizable monetary gifts toward its major expansion.

Legislation
Ohio lawmaker says Vaccine Choice Anti-discrimination Act is a "freedom bill" Dayton 24/7 Now (WGRT/WKEF) MIAMISBURG Ohio --- (WKEF) An Ohio lawmaker fighting for House Bill 248.

Opinion
Medical research needs you so health care can make progress: Alex Rothbaum and Ellen Doernberg Cleveland Plain Dealer CLEVELAND -- In just months, over 150,000 people participated ' in COVID-19 vaccine trials to determine if the vaccines were safe and effective. Without their contribution to this vital research, we would not have the hope that many of us do now.		Telehealth is a rare good thing to come from the pandemic. Let’s make it permanent: Sally C. Pipes Cleveland Plain Dealer PASADENA, California -- It’s time for your annual physical. You make an appointment with your doctor and mark the date on your calendar.