CLICK HERE for the latest on cancellations and event updates in Bluffton.

In the wake of the current healthcare climate, Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS), will be limiting visitation to all areas of the organization.

The new guidelines allow for one visitor per day per patient. No children (under 16 years of age) will be permitted to enter patient care areas.

At this time, there have been no changes to scheduled appointments. However, this is continuously being evaluated.

Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio
The Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio campuses of Mennonite Memorial Home, Willow Ridge, Maple Crest and Hilty Home will no longer allow visitors as of today (March 13) at 3 p.m.

"We know this is an inconvenience, and this policy will be re-evaluated and adjusted as the situation changes. Updates can be found at mhcoliving.org/covid19, as well as on our Facebook page," according to Jason Cox. 

SCHOOL LUNCHES: 
In response to a request from the DeWine administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved two waiver requests to continue school breakfast and lunch programs during Ohio's K-12 school closures. 

Schools will be permitted to provide every child under 18 with “grab and go” meals to ensure that no child goes hungry during the course of Governor DeWine's order to close schools.

The Ohio Department of Education will also develop a process to give school districts the unprecedented ability to deliver meals to homes. 

“For some students, the only regular meals they receive are the ones they get at school, and we realize closing schools will make it even more difficult for them and their families,” said Governor DeWine.

“In these uncertain times, we are ensuring children will have access to healthy meals, guaranteed, just like if they were going to school.” 

DAY CARES/PRESCHOOLS
Governor DeWine signed an executive order easing the teacher/student ratio currently required for day cares and preschools. This loosening of regulations will help providers continuously care for students during a time when staffing levels are low due to illness. 

Although daycare centers and preschools are not included in his school closure order, Governor DeWine today urged parents to keep their children home from these facilities if economically able to do so.

He did, however, encourage parents not to leave their children in the care of an elderly babysitter over the age of 60, as these individuals are the highest risk to become seriously ill from COVID-19. 

LETTER TO PRESIDENT TRUMP
Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted today sent a letter to President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence requesting critical personal protection equipment including surgical procedural masks, N-95 respirators, gowns and gloves, etc., for Ohio's healthcare workers. The letter also requests that the federal government ease certain regulations related to:

Federal funding
Access to meals for students, families, and older adults
Administering social and health services
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and Commercial Useful Function compliance
Drone deployment
Temporary assistance for needy families
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Food and nutrition service
Federal matching funds for Medicaid-funded services
Community Living and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and HOME Programs
Home Weatherization Assistance Program
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Relief
HUD 5-year Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan
Survey and certification of health care facilities

JAILS/COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS FACILITIES:
Governor DeWine announced that he would be issuing an order for community jails and corrections facilities throughout Ohio to prohibit visitors and require health screenings for mission-critical vendors, contractors, etc.  

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