Author: Steve Weigold

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Dayton Fire Department Situation Reports

DFD Weekly Operations Report 20201101

COVID-19 cases continue to rise rapidly at the Dayton/Montgomery County, State, and National levels.  As such, all three have recorded their single highest daily case counts this past week (10/26-11/1).

In addition, the State of Ohio (to include Dayton/Montgomery County) currently estimates that approximately 20% of its recorded cases YTD can be considered “ACTIVE” at this time (and therefore capable of spread).  This data would indicate the likelihood of ongoing increased daily case counts which could very quickly create a situation in which local cases requiring hospitalization outpace regional resources.

Later this week I hope to release an updated forecast for regional case grow potentials using the increasing daily case growth rates.

Weekly-Operational-Report-11-1-2020

Categories
Situation Reports State EOC

20201028 – 0800 State EOC SitRep

Over the past 24 hours, the Ohio Department of Health reported 2,509 (202,740) total new cases, 20 (3,771) ICU admissions, 22 (5,239) deaths, and 198 (18,433) hospitalizations.

The State EOC is currently at Partial Activation as it continues to coordinate response to COVID-19. While the EOC is available for use by all Emergency Support Functions, ESFs 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13, 14, and
15 will remain activated for the ongoing response.

The 26th push of PPE to primary county drop sites in each county will be conducted on Wednesday, October 28.

20201028-State-EOC-SITREP-COVID-19

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Dayton Fire Department Situation Reports

DFD Weekly Operations Report 20201025

National, state, and local case continue to surge at an increasing rate.  As such, heightened caution, reevaluation of mitigation tactics, and a review alternate operating procedures are likely warranted.

In addition, from this point forward this report will also include a breakdown of City and County known cases within the school communities.

Data through 10/25/2020 shows the following:

·         The daily average EMS call volume is running 3.34% below the average for October of 2019, averaging 80.07 EMS calls per day versus 82.84 in 2019

·         Potential call types are on the rise, and for the week of 10/19/2020 thru 10/25/2020 and crews encountered 9 known +COVID-19 patients

·         Non-traumatic, non-transported field terminations are averaging 1.23/day, this is 0.16/day less than October of last year (1.39/day), this is a decrease of 11.51%

DAYTON/MONTGOMERY COUNTY

·         Confirmed cases in Dayton/Montgomery County have grown from 10,282 on 10/18 to 10,864 on 10/18, this is an increase of 582 (5.66%)

·         The week of 10/5/2020 thru 10/11/2020 saw an average case growth rate of 1.19%, the week of 10/12/2020 thru 10/18/2020 saw a 1.13% daily average, thus Dayton/Montgomery County is trending DOWN (Slightly) so far as case growth rate (Most recent week omitted due to reporting lag)

·         Deaths in Dayton/Montgomery County have stayed at 189 for the week of 10/18 thru 10/25.  Bringing observed mortality in the region to 1.74%

·         Our current case incidence of the population is at 2.04%

·         Schools                                                         Student (New)                    Student (Cumulative)                        Staff (New)              Staff (Cumulative)

o   Dayton (Online Only)                   0                                              0                                                          4                                  11

o   Montgomery County (Mixed)    13                                            71                                                        28                                67       

OHIO

·         Confirmed cases in Ohio have grown from 188,916 on 10/18 to 198,115 on 10/25, this is an increase of 9,199 (4.87%)

·         The week of 10/5/2020 thru 10/11/2020 saw an average case growth rate of 0.94%, the week of 10/12/2020 thru 10/18/2020 saw a 0.98% daily average, thus Ohio is trending UP so far as case growth rate (Most recent week omitted due to reporting lag)

·         Deaths in Ohio have grown from 5,179 on 10/18 to 5,206 on 10/25, this is an increase of 27 (0.52%).  Bringing observed mortality in the State to 2.63%

·         The State’s case incidence is at 1.69% of the population

UNITED STATES

·         Confirmed case in the U.S. have grown from 8,081,489 on 10/18 to 8,553,827 on 10/25, this is an increase of 472,338 (5.84%)

·         The past seven days have seen an average case growth rate of 0.81%, the previous week saw a 0.70% daily average, thus the United States is trending UP so far as daily case growth rates

·         Deaths in the U.S. have grown from 218,511 on 10/18 to 224,221 on 10/25, this is an increase of 5,710 (2.61%).  Bringing observed mortality in the U.S. to 2.62%

·         The National case incidence is at 2.61% of the population

Weekly-Operational-Report-10-25-2020

Categories
EMS Guidance and Information Guidelines

COVID-19 testing of personnel providing non-urgent medical transportation

TO: Ohio medical transportation providers

FROM: James Hodge, Chief, Bureau of Regulatory Operations, Ohio Department of Health

DATE: Oct. 13, 2020

RE: COVID-19 testing of personnel providing non-urgent medical transportation for nursing home residents

As part of ongoing efforts to minimize the transmission of COVID-19 among Ohio’s vulnerable nursing home residents, personnel providing non-urgent medical transportation to this population should be tested for the virus. Examples of non-urgent medical transportation are ambulettes and non-emergent emergency medical services (EMS) transports.

Personnel providing such services should be tested by the nursing facility or provide documentation that required testing was completed during the timeframe that corresponds to the facility’s testing frequency. 

This is in accordance with a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Interim Final Rule (CMS-3401-IFC), included in QSO-20-38-NH, dated Aug. 26, 2020, which provides that personnel providing services under arrangement to nursing home residents are to be tested.

Affected personnel should work with appropriate facilities and local health departments to determine specific testing requirements to comply with this CMS directive.

Individuals providing emergency services, such as EMS workers or law enforcement officers, are not required to undergo testing or show proof of testing, and they should not be delayed in responding to emergency situations.

Additional questions concerning COVID-19 testing requirements should be referred to the Ohio Department of Health Bureau of Regulatory Operations at (614) 644-6220.

Categories
EMS Guidance and Information Guidelines Regional News

Nitrile Gloves – Significant Supply Chain Issues

Nationwide/worldwide shortages of nitrile gloves are becoming increasingly severe.  Worse is that the larger sizes (worn by many public safety personnel) are often the least available.  Costs are increasing and purchase quantities are limited. 

Worse still are seller issues, from outright scams to selling bad or wrong product, such as gloves that have been sitting in storage for many years (sometimes in storage conditions that would be inappropriate even for the short term), to false labeling/advertising (e.g., labeling latex gloves as nitrile, wrong sizes, many other variations).  Many of the gloves available even from reputable dealers are not certified to NFPA standards, and the performance standards they meet (29 CFR Parts 170-199) are for food service, not blood borne pathogens (29 CFR 1910.1030).

We suggest that all public safety agencies consider the following:

  • Purchase what you can now from reliable suppliers, understanding that product may not ship for many months.
  • Explore and purchase cheap gloves that can be worn in appropriate circumstances when there is not a need for the highest-level protection.  Such gloves could be worn for “house duties” and other situations. 
  • Avoid purchasing “non-patient care” type gloves that could be easily confused with current EMS stock.  This is becoming more difficult as glove color choices are limited and there may be no clear way to discern which are NFPA compliant medical exam gloves and which are not.
  • Consider the purchase of reusable “utility” type gloves for all personnel for routine work around the station, cleaning, etc. 
  • Provide guidance for personnel on which gloves should be worn in various situations
  • Use extreme caution in your purchase processes
  • Share messaging with all personnel now around conserving current supplies:
    • Do NOT wear gloves when not needed (for example, no likelihood of patient contact).  If only one crewmember will be in contact with the patient, other members of the crew can stand back at least six feet and NOT don PPE.  For years, we have had every crewmember don PPE before getting off the vehicle.  We can no longer afford that luxury.  Limiting the number of personnel in close proximity to the patient has the secondary benefit of limiting exposure.
    • At the same time, try to avoid mixed messaging.  If personnel need to use gloves, they should do so. 
    • If some glove purchases include latex, ensure that all personnel are aware of that, and be sure that there are alternatives for personnel with latex allergies or sensitivities
    • Latex gloves should be a last resort for patient care activities 
    • We must conserve gloves if we are to have adequate supplies for the near future.  Conserve gloves now as we did with masks earlier in the pandemic:  only wearing the level of PPE indicated for the given situation, meaning gloves for personnel giving care or in close proximity.

You can find additional information on glove conservation at these sites:

Categories
Dayton Fire Department Situation Reports

DFD Weekly Operations Report 20200906

Attached is the report for last week with Data through 9/6/2020.  The data shows the following:

·         The daily average EMS call volume is running 8.02% below the average for August of 2019, averaging 82.13 EMS calls per day

·         Potential call types remain steady, and for the week of 8/31/2020 thru 9/6/2020 and crews encountered 6 known +COVID-19 patients

·         Non-traumatic, non-transported field terminations are averaging 1.63/day, this is .34/day more than August of last year (1.29/day), an increase of 26.36%

DAYTON/MONTGOMERY COUNTY

·         Confirmed cases in Dayton/Montgomery County have grown from 6,226 on 8/30 to 6,643 on 9/6, this is an increase of 417 (6.70%)

·         The week of 8/17/2020 thru 8/23/2020 saw an average case growth rate of 1.47%, the week of 8/24/2020 thru 8/30/2020 saw a 1.94% daily average, thus Dayton/Montgomery County is trending UP so far as case growth rate (Most recent week omitted due to reporting lag)

·         Deaths in Dayton/Montgomery County have grown from 132 on 8/30 to 134 on 9/6, this is an increase of 2 (1.52%).  Bringing observed mortality in the region to 2.02%

·         Our current case incidence of the population is at 1.25%

·         NOTE:  Again for last week, a large driving factor to the recent upswing in cases locally is the outbreak currently being contained at the University of Dayton.

OHIO

·         Confirmed cases in Ohio have grown from 126,438on 8/30 to 131,333 on 9/6, this is an increase of 4,895 (3.87%)

·         The week of 8/17/2020 thru 8/23/2020 saw an average case growth rate of 0.75%, the week of 8/24/2020 thru 8/30/2020 saw a 0.78% daily average, thus Ohio is trending UP so far as case growth rate (Most recent week omitted due to reporting lag)

·         Deaths in Ohio have grown from 4,244 on 8/30 to 4,276 on 9/6, this is an increase of 32 (0.75%).  Bringing observed mortality in the State to 3.26%.

·         The State’s case incidence is at 1.12% of the population

UNITED STATES

·         Confirmed case in the U.S. have grown from 5,934,824 on 8/30 to 6,226,879 on 9/6, this is an increase of 292,055 (4.92%)

·         The past seven days have seen an average case growth rate of 0.68%, the previous week saw a 0.71% daily average, thus the United States is trending DOWN so far as daily case growth rates

·         Deaths in the U.S. have grown from 182,149 on 8/30 to 188,513 on 9/6, this is an increase of 6,364 (3.49%).  Bringing observed mortality in the U.S. to 3.01%

·         The National case incidence is at 1.90% of the population

Weekly-Operational-Report-9-6-2020

Categories
Situation Reports State EOC

20200909 – 0800 State EOC SitRep

Here is the 8AM SITREP detailing State EOC Operations over the past 24 hours as of 0800 September 9, 2020.

For additional COVID-19 information, explore the ESF-5 Resource Portal and the following highlighted applications:

20200909-State-EOC-SITREP-COVID-19

Categories
Regional News

Vaccination Administration by Ohio EMS Providers

To: Ohio EMS providers, EMS agencies, and EMS medical directors
From: Carol A. Cunningham, M.D., FAAEM, FAEMS
 State Medical Director
Date: September 2, 2020
RE:Vaccination Administration by Ohio EMS Providers

Vaccination is a critical action to prevent the acquisition and spread of disease.  In Ohio, our EMS providers have repeatedly demonstrated that we are a vital sector of the healthcare system.

I am happy to inform you that the State Board of Emergency, Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services (EMFTS Board) passed the following motion on August 19, 2020:

The Board recognizes that EMS certificate holders are permitted to administer vaccinations so long as the route of administration is within the scope of practice and the certificate holder administers the vaccine pursuant to medical direction and training on the specific vaccine, which includes adherence to the recommendations and instructions of the Food and Drug Administration.

As highlighted by the current COVID-19 pandemic, our healthcare system resources are finite.  Initiatives that prevent avoidable hospitalizations, including immunization against infectious diseases, enhances the surge capacity of our hospitals.  This fall, the influenza season will intersect with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  Although Ohio’s public health emergency was declared due to the COVID-19 virus, an influenza outbreak would most certainly hamper our healthcare systems’ response to the pandemic and decrease hospital bed capacity. 

The EMFTS Board’s motion will allow all EMS providers to administer the influenza vaccine according to the requirements and parameters stated.   If developed, it will also allow EMS providers to administer a COVID-19 vaccine.  In the future, our nation may be threatened by a different set of pathogens; however, this action taken by the EMFTS Board has ensured that Ohio EMS will be authorized to participate in the imperative public health mission of vaccination administration.

Thank you for your dedicated service to the State of Ohio and to Ohio EMS.  As part of your mission to stay safe and healthy, please get vaccinated!

Categories
PHDMC Case Reports and Maps Situation Reports

PHDMC Case Report and Map – 20200903

The following case report and maps has been provided by the Department of Public Health for Dayton and Montgomery County and are current as of September 3, 2020.

COVID_19-Cases_Ohio_WCO_MC_EpiCurve_9.3.20

MC_COVID-Zip-Code-Maps_Stats_9.3

Categories
PHDMC Case Reports and Maps Situation Reports

PHDMC Case Report and Map – 20200902

The following case report and maps has been provided by the Department of Public Health for Dayton and Montgomery County and are current as of September 2, 2020.

COVID_19-Cases_Ohio_WCO_MC_EpiCurve_9.2.20