About 2,000 National Guard members were deployed across Ohio in December and January to assist in hospitals and testing sites. As of Tuesday, that number had decreased to 1,200 Guard members, Ohio Department of Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff said Thursday morning.
“This has been an extraordinary intervention and one that’s made a big difference for so many hospitals and the communities they serve,” Vanderhoff said. “While the National Guard may be leaving hospitals or testing centers, it’s certainly not time for us to let our guard down.”
The schedule for when guard members have left or will leave Dayton-area locations is as follows.
Testing sites:
- Dayton Children’s Hospital, Springboro: Feb. 7
- Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton: Feb. 11
- Clark County Combined Health District, Springfield: Feb. 18
Hospital support:
- Mercy Health - Springfield Regional Medical Center: Feb. 11
- Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton: Feb. 22
- Premier Atrium Medical Center, Middletown: Feb. 11
About 20 Guard members helped Dayton Children’s coronavirus testing site in Springboro triple its capacity during the COVID-19 Omicron wave in January.
“Testing is just returning to the level it was at before the surge,” said Dayton Children’s spokeswoman Katie Solovey. “During the surge, the demand was much higher and we needed help to meet that demand. All hours and locations are staying as is. Just no national guard members there.”
This comes as hospitalizations and cases across the state have decreased in recent weeks.
Compared to three weeks ago, COVID inpatients have decreased 38% in west central Ohio and dropped 40% in southwest Ohio, according to the Ohio Hospital Association.
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