COVID-19 deaths add up locally

SANDUSKY — COVID-19 remains an ongoing threat in Erie County with five new deaths reported since last week, the Erie County Health Department reported Tuesday. The health department also announced it is offering booster vaccination shots for the virus. The health department said the five new deaths bring the current total for Erie County up to 231. Last week, the health department had reported four new deaths. While COVID-19 cases appear to be declining across the U.S., and there are signs the latest wave in Ohio may be peaking, disease transmission remains high in Sandusky. Ashley Franks, epidemiologist for the Erie County Health Department, reported Monday the case rate remains high. "There is still a lot of stuff to worry about. We're still not out of the woods," Erie County health commissioner Pete Schade said. "Folks have to be vigilant and do what they can and stay safe." Schade said transmission of the virus is particularly high in the Milan area, too. In fact, the Milan ZIP code is the county's hotspot now, he said. Franks said the health department is keeping track of two active outbreaks of COVID-19 at long-term care facilities: one at Providence Care Center in Sandusky and the other at Kingston of Vermilion. The outbreak at Providence is new, while the one at Kingston is believed to be almost over, she said. The health department reported Tuesday there were 282 new cases over a week's time compared to 262 new cases reported on Sept. 28. On Tuesday, 25 people were hospitalized for COVID-19 at Firelands Regional Medical Center versus 28 people in the hospital for that reason on Sept. 28. Boosters The health department announced it is scheduling booster shots for people eligible for a third Pfizer COVID-19 booster shot. The federal government has authorized booster shots for people who have received the Pfizer vaccine but has not yet OK'd Moderna or Johnson & Johnson booster shots. The health department has scheduled two clinics at its 420 Superior St. facility for Pfizer booster shots: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 16, and 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, Oct. 22. Pfizer booster shots are being offered to people who finished their two shots at least six months ago and fit into one of these categories: • People are 65 or older, or they are residents in long-term care facilities • They are ages 50 to 64 and have underlying medical conditions • They are ages 18 to 49 and are at high risk for severe COVID-19 because of underlying medical conditions • They are ages 18 to 64 and are at increased risk for COVID-19 because of an occupational or institutional setting Booster shots can be scheduled online at CovidErieOhio.com. Online scheduling is encouraged, but an appointment also can be made by calling 567-867-5228. If you use the phone number, leave a name and telephone number and the health department will call you back.