February 2021 Updates
February 26 - Get COVID-19 Vaccine Text Updates
Text VaxCbus to 888777
Columbus Public Health is launching a new text message system for Columbus and Worthington residents to get the latest information on COVID-19 vaccine availability for eligible groups. People can text “VaxCbus” to 888777 to sign up for COVID-19 vaccine updates. The Columbus Public Health website and social media accounts will continue to be updated with the latest information on the vaccine.
Columbus Public Health is distributing the COVID-19 vaccine strategically and equitably in our community following Ohio Department of Health (ODH) guidelines. As more vaccine becomes available, any adult who wants one will be able to get vaccinated as well. The timeframe for general public distribution will be determined by vaccine availability and ODH guidelines.
When your priority group is opened, you will be able to get vaccinated at Columbus Public Health’s drive-thru vaccination clinic, your health care provider, or retail pharmacy outlet. See a list of providers at https://vaccine.coronavirus.ohio.gov.
Learn more about COVID-19 at www.columbus.gov/coronavirus.
February 26 - Worthington COVID-19 Cases
As of February 26, 2021, the City of Worthington has 1,038 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 49 Worthington residents who have died due to the coronavirus. 45 of those people lived in long-term care settings. Our sincere sympathies are with the friends and families of those Worthington residents who have died as a result of COVID-19.
As of February 26, 2021, there are 79,124 confirmed cases in the Columbus Public Health (CPH) jurisdiction, which includes Worthington. 858 people in the CPH jurisdiction have died.
Important information from our partners CPH about what to do if you test positive for COVID-19.
February 19 - Community Coronavirus Survey Round Two
Several months ago, we conducted a community coronavirus survey and now, nearly a year into the ongoing pandemic, we want to check in once more to learn how you and your family are managing. Even if you completed the previous survey, we hope you will take it again to update us on how the situation may have changed for you since the start of the new year.
As a token of our appreciation, when you complete the survey, you can choose to enter a drawing for a Worthington Community Center day pass (100 available).
The information you share will be used to help the City of Worthington and other organizations serving the greater Worthington area to understand the continuing impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the people in our community. Your responses, along with the responses of others in our community, will help us to identify current areas of need and continue to guide our response to this ongoing crisis.
We will not ask for any information that would personally identify you. The survey should take you about 12 minutes to complete. The last day to take the survey will be Sunday, March 21.
Thank you for your time!
This survey is presented in partnership with the City of Worthington, Community Relations Commission, Griswold Center, I Am Boundless, McConnell Arts Center, Northwest Counseling Services, United Methodist Church, Worthington Libraries, Worthington Parks & Recreation, Worthington Resource Pantry, and Worthington Schools.
February 19 - Support Local Businesses with Worthington Dollars e-gift cards
The Worthington Partnership is proud to announce the new Worthington Dollars eGift Card, a community-based digital gift card that makes it fun and easy to keep local spending local. Purchase a Worthington Dollars e-Gift Card here to use at any of the participating shops in Worthington.
Worthington has many of your favorite retailers, restaurants, services, and entertainment in one place. Use the Worthington Dollars, an eGift card at all participating locations in the city — there is truly something for everyone!
Our friends at FCBank have donated funds to cover bonus dollars for our launch of this new program. While supplies last, buy $100 in Worthington Dollars and receive a bonus gift of $25 courtesy of FCBank.
Buy your Worthington Dollars here.
February 19 - Worthington COVID-19 Cases
Sadly, more Worthington residents have passed away due to COVID-19. As of February 19, 2021, a total of 48 Worthington residents have died, 44 of which were living in long-term care settings. Our sympathies go out to the loved ones of these Worthington citizens. The increase in the recorded number of deaths comes as the State of Ohio reconciles previously underreported numbers.
As of February 19, 2021, the City of Worthington has 1,024 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There are 78,099 confirmed cases in the Columbus Public Health (CPH) jurisdiction, which includes Worthington. 852 people in the CPH jurisdiction have died.
Important information from our partners CPH about what to do if you test positive for COVID-19.
February 11 - State Curfew Expires
Governor Mike DeWine announced that the State Curfew that has been in place since November 2020 has expired and will not be renewed unless pandemic conditions worsen again. He previously said that if daily hospitalization numbers are below 2,500 for seven days in a row the curfew would be lifted. The State has seen daily hospitalization rates below 2,500 for 10 days in a row as of today. This means that restaurants and bars are able to remain open later for patrons and people are not mandated to stay home during the overnight hours.
Although case numbers are going in the right direction, health experts advise that we cannot let our guard down or ease up on mask-wearing and social distancing measures. There is still much uncertainty about new variant coronavirus strains and how they may impact our communities. The risk of exposure and spread is still extremely high. Please remember to always wear a mask, practicing social distancing, wash your hands frequently, stay home if you're sick, and only gather with people who live in your own household.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says wearing your mask properly is key to stopping the spread. They advise that double masking may stop the spread even more effectively. It is also important to wear your mask snugly against your face so that there are no gaps to allow droplets to escape or enter.
The CDC offers these updated tips to improve how your mask protects yourself and others.
February 11 - Worthington COVID-19 Cases
Sadly, another Worthington resident has passed away due to COVID-19. A total of 45 Worthington residents have died, 43 of which were living in long term care settings. Our sympathies go out to the loved ones of these Worthington citizens. As of February 11, 2021, the City of Worthington has 1,011 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There are 76,747 confirmed cases in the Columbus Public Health (CPH) jurisdiction, which includes Worthington. 550 people in the CPH jurisdiction have died.
Important information from our partners CPH about what to do if you test positive for COVID-19.
February 11 - Vaccine Update
Vaccines continue under Phase 1B for people age 65 and older, school employees, and people with specific medical conditions that put them at a very high risk of dying from COVID-19. Ohioans born with the medical conditions outlined below, or those who were diagnosed in early childhood whose conditions continued into adulthood, will qualify to be vaccinated beginning on February 15.
Although providers are expected to continue receiving more vaccines, the number of doses still remains limited. People who are eligible are advised to check with their primary care provider and hospital system first as that may be a more convenient option. Search the Ohio Department of Health vaccine provider list by county and zip code.
The Public Health systems will update their websites and open registration when more vaccine supply becomes available.
February 5 - Identity Theft Warning
Identity theft has become a widespread problem during the pandemic with many people here in Worthington and across the country being impacted. Identities, including Social Security numbers, have been stolen and used to file fraudulent unemployment claims in both the traditional unemployment and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance programs. Many people only realize they have had their identity stolen when they receive a 1099-G tax form or other official correspondence in the mail from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS.) If you have received one or more of the following and you did not file for unemployment benefits in 2020, you may have had a fraudulent claim made in your name:
- A 1099-G tax form.
- A letter from ODJFS stating that Unemployment Benefits have been applied for in your name.
- A US Bank ReliaCard for funds you do not recognize or were not expecting.
- Notification from your employer that ODJFS is inquiring about Unemployment Benefits that you did not apply for.
If you receive one of these notifications, you should take action immediately and follow these steps:
- Contact ODJFS immediately. You can find more information and complete the online report form here.
- You can also call the ODJFS Ohio Unemployment Benefits Identity Theft Hotline at 833-658-0394 between 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday.
- Check your credit report. You can visit annualcreditreport.com or call 877-322-8228.
- Consider placing an initial fraud alert on your credit report. This makes it harder for someone to open credit accounts in your name.
Visit the Ohio Attorney General online for details
Worthy Point of View: Identity theft emerging as latest pandemic threat in Worthington and beyond
February 5 - Worthington tops 1,000 total COVID-19 Cases
As of February 5, 2021, the City of Worthington has 1,003 confirmed cases of COVID-19. We, fortunately, have not had an increase in the number of people who have died, but sadly have had 44 Worthington residents die from COVID-19. Our sincere sympathies are with the friends and families of those Worthington residents.
As of February 5, 2021, there are 75,684 confirmed cases in the Columbus Public Health (CPH) jurisdiction, which includes Worthington. 534 people in the CPH jurisdiction have died.
Important information from our partners CPH about what to do if you test positive for COVID-19.
February 5 - Vaccine Updates
Beginning the week of February 8, people age 65 and older become eligible for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine under Phase 1B. The supply remains limited with reservations through the Columbus and Franklin County Public Health systems currently on hold. People who are eligible are advised to check with their primary care provider and hospital system first as that may be a more convenient option. Search the Ohio Department of Health vaccine provider list by county and zip code.
The Public Health systems will update their websites and open registration when more vaccine supply becomes available.
February 5 - State Curfew remains at 11pm - Stay at Home Advisory Expires Saturday
The State Curfew will remain in place from 11pm to 5am for another week, as Governor DeWine and State Health officials continue to evaluate falling hospitalization and case numbers. If the daily hospitalization goes below 2,500 people for seven days in a row, the curfew will be lifted. Track daily hospitalization numbers here.
Because of a reduction in case numbers, Columbus and Franklin County Public Health will not renew the Stay at Home Advisory, which expires on Saturday, February 6th. They note that although the numbers are going in the right direction, it is important to remember that Franklin County remains red in the Ohio Public Health Advisory System and the risk of exposure and spread is still extremely high. Please remember to always wear a mask, practicing social distancing, wash your hands frequently, stay home if you're sick and only gather with people who live in your own household.
February 1 - Vaccine Updates
Beginning the week of February 1, people age 70 and older and school employees become eligible for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine under Phase 1B. The supply remains limited. People 70 and older who are eligible are advised to check with their primary care provider and hospital system first as that may be a more convenient option. Public health departments, primary care providers, and local pharmacies are scheduling appointments for people who are eligible in this current Phase 1B as their supply allows.
Search here for providers by county and zip code. Each provider is managing its own reservation system.
Columbus Public Health & Franklin County Public Health
Columbus and Franklin County Public Health have a limited supply of vaccine and may pause scheduling of appointments based on current supply conditions. Check for the latest updates on social media or through the links below.
- Columbus Public Health Vaccine Information
- Franklin County Public Health Vaccine Information
- Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging Vaccine Resources
- Ohio Department of Health Vaccine Information
See full vaccine details here.
K-12 Staff Vaccinations
The Worthington School District is on the State of Ohio's list of eligible districts to begin receiving the vaccine for its staff. K-12 schools in Ohio whose staff can be vaccinated beginning next week have been notified, including Worthington Schools. There is not enough supply to have all Ohio school staff vaccinated next week so the process will continue each week as more supply becomes available.