OHIO COVID-19 Update: Nursing Home & Assisted Living Employee Testing Exemption, Homebound Vaccination Plan

COLUMBUS, May 3, 2021: Governor Mike DeWines administration provided the following updates on Ohios response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

LONG-TERM CARE/NURSING FACILITY TESTING ORDER: DeWine announced today that a new Ohio Department of Health order will exempt fully vaccinated staff in nursing homes and assisted living facilities from routine testing. Staff members who are not fully vaccinated will be required to be tested twice a week.

An individual is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines or two weeks after the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

HOMEBOUND VACCINATION PLAN: The Ohio Department of Aging and Ohio Department of Health have developed a homebound vaccination playbook for organizations working to ensure homebound individuals have access to the vaccine. By utilizing existing Rapid Response Teams, Ohio can deliver the vaccine where it is needed.

That playbook is available on the coronavirus website at coronavirus.ohio.gov. If you are a homebound individual or know a homebound individual who would like a vaccine, please contact your Area Agency on Aging at 1866-243-5678.

WOLSTEIN WALKINS: Ohios mass vaccination center at the Wolstein Center in downtown Cleveland continues to accept walk-ins to the clinic. Last week, 2,000 walk-ins were vaccinated. Of the total vaccinated at the Wolstein Center last week, approximately 44 percent of those vaccinated were minorities and approximately 68 percent live in targeted high social-vulnerability zip codes.

The clinic is open 7 days a week, and walk-ins are accepted from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Appointments are also available in advance by visiting GetTheShot. coronavirus.ohio.gov or by calling 833-4-ASKODH.

The Cleveland Indians are offering discounts on tickets for anyone who has been vaccinated at the Wolstein Center or any other vaccination location. Fans can get $5 off regular priced Upper Box and Upper Reserved tickets if they have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. This offer is only available online for series against the Cincinnati RedsMay 7 - 9, Chicago CubsMay 11 - 12, and Minnesota TwinsMay 21 - 23.

The Reds are also offering discounted View Level tickets for $10 for fans who show their COVID-19 vaccination card with at least one shot complete. The offer is valid at Great American Ball Park ticket windows for MondayThursday games through June.

CASE DATA/VACCINE INFORMATION: In-depth COVID-19 data for Ohio: coronavirus.ohio.gov. Ohios central scheduling system: gettheshot. coronavirus.ohio.govOhio mass vaccination information: coronavirus.ohio.gov/ massvaccinationclinics All vaccine providers: vaccine.coronavirus.ohio.gov More vaccine information: coronavirus.ohio.gov/vaccine

For more information on Ohios response to COVID-19, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.