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SCPH brings good COVID-19 news to county council – South



Manchester High School sophomore Jaydyn McKinney received a commendation for winning the Ohio High School Wrestling Coaches Association’s girls state championship Feb. 20 from Summit County Council member Bethany McKenney (R-District 7) during the March 14 Summit County Council meeting. Shown above, from left, are Jaydyn’s father and coach, Bill McKinney, Jaydyn, McKenney and Jaydyn’s mother, Jonell Glitzenstein, after the presentation. Photo courtesy of Bethany McKenney

DOWNTOWN AKRON — Summit County Public Health Commissioner Donna Skoda brought “happy news” to Summit County Council March 14.
“The numbers continue to fall,” said Skoda. “Summit County is now in the green category, with 34.2 cases [of COVID-19] per 100,000 [people].”
Skoda also said the positivity test rate for COVID is about 3 percent, and the death rate is down to about two per day.
“We are anticipating there will be fourth dose [of the vaccine] coming this fall,” Skoda said.
She added that Pfizer-BioNTech is working on an Omicron-variant vaccine and Moderna is working on a combined COVID/flu vaccine. She also said there is still no news on when a vaccine for children ages 6 months to 4 years will be available.
Summit County Council member Jeff Wilhite (D-District 4) commended Skoda for the department’s work on combating COVID-19.
“If we could give you a state championship award, we would do it,” he said. “You and your team have been unbelievable.”
Skoda stated the SCPH efforts were successful due to the support from county officials and partnerships with various entities.
“It was truly a community effort,” she said.
Council approved on first reading the Meadows of Wintergreen Phase III subdivision in Springfield Township, and also to assess those residents for drainage maintenance, as well as the list of routine legislation.
New legislation introduced that evening included:
• a contract with Lake Erie Construction for the guardrail maintenance program in an amount up to $241,675;
• a five-year purchase contract, from Feb. 16 to Feb. 15, 2027, with AT&T for Switched Ethernet fiber network services for the transfer of voice, video and data among various county-owned properties at a cost of $320,000;
• declaring April as Autism Acceptance Month in Summit County, recognizing all individuals in the community who live on the autism spectrum and celebrating the numerous ways autistic individuals enhance the quality of area communities and enrich people’s lives;
• declaring April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Summit County and encouraging residents to join in this acknowledgement by wearing blue April 13; and
• declaring April as Minority Health Month in Summit County, recognizing the health inequalities facing minorities and encouraging all health organizations to conduct appropriate programs and activities to promote healthfulness in minority communities.
Also at the meeting, Council member Bethany McKenney presented a commendation to Manchester High School sophomore Jaydyn McKinney to recognize her for winning the Ohio High School Wrestling Coaches Association’s girls state wrestling championship in the 120-pound class Feb. 20, making her the first female from the school to win a wrestling championship.
“I admire Jaydyn for her incredible heart, courage and determination,” McKenney commented after the meeting. “She has been a real trailblazer for young women in wrestling. She is a great wrestler but also a great person all around, maintaining a 3.67 GPA.”
Council will meet March 21 for committee meetings beginning at 4:30 p.m. in Council Chambers, located on the seventh floor of the Ohio Building, 175 S. Main St. The meeting will also be live streamed on Council’s Facebook page.