Local Health Systems Ask Public To Get Vaccinated Wear Masks As Cases Spike

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Your community needs your help!

For the first time, the local health systems across Ashland, Richland, and Crawford counties are coming together to ask for your help.

With the latest surge in COVID-19 cases, our hospitals, emergency departments, and urgent cares are seeing record numbers of patients. Many of the patients requiring hospitalization are experiencing a higher degree of illness than we have seen in the past. We are concerned with what the coming weeks will bring.

What we are experiencing is very real. It isn’t a political issue; it’s a medical issue. When we look at our patient data, a vast majority of hospitalized COVID-19 patients have not received the COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID-19 does not discriminate. It impacts all ages, races, and sexes. The virus will spread – even to those who are healthy, but we do have ways to reduce exposure to COVID-19 as well as brace against a full-blown infection. That is by masking and, if you are 12 and older, becoming vaccinated.

We need your help to protect yourself and your loved ones.

At times, we are all asked to put others before ourselves. During the pandemic, our call is no different. Using our knowledge of medical science and the human nature to help others, we ask that you act soon. Help us change the trajectory of COVID-19 for our communities by protecting yourself and your loved ones. By masking and becoming fully vaccinated, we will be able to drastically slow down the rate of spread and ultimately, COVID-19’s potential exposure to you.

Our communities have experienced much loss due to COVID-19. As our teams console families of patients who have passed, some family members mentioned that they never expected COVID-19 could create such heartache and loss. Sadly, this loss is what it has taken for some family members to become vaccinated themselves.

Historically, our respective county residents have pulled together during times of struggle. That’s what we love about the resiliency and grit of north central Ohio. Whether it was a fire, tornado, or flood, you have stepped up to support one another in times of crisis. We ask that you do that again. Our communities are in crisis. We ask that you rally together and extend grace instead of being divided.

We are joining hands to fight for our community’s health. Will you join us for the betterment of your loved ones and our communities?

Grace Wakulchik, CEO

Akron Children's Hospital

Jerome Morasko, President and CEO

Avita Health System

Donald A. Malone, Jr., MD, President, Ohio Hospitals and Family Health Centers

Cleveland Clinic

Tim Robinson, CEO

Nationwide Children's Hospital

Vinson Yates, President, Mansfield Hospital and Shelby Hospital

OhioHealth

Peggy Anderson, CEO

Third Street Family Health Services

Todd Harford, President, Samaritan Medical Center

University Hospitals


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