Sandusky County Public Health office to reopen on limited basis Monday

Daniel Carson, Fremont News-Messenger
·2 min read
Deb Agee, Sandusky County Public Health's director of nursing, gives a vaccination shot to Sandusky County EMS Director Jeff Jackson at the health department's Fremont office in December 2020. The Countryside Drive office will offer limited services Monday, a week after bursting water pipes caused significant water damage.
Deb Agee, Sandusky County Public Health's director of nursing, gives a vaccination shot to Sandusky County EMS Director Jeff Jackson at the health department's Fremont office in December 2020. The Countryside Drive office will offer limited services Monday, a week after bursting water pipes caused significant water damage.

FREMONT— Sandusky County Public Health's Countryside Drive office will offer limited services Monday, a week after bursting water pipes caused significant water damage and forced the site's closure.

Bethany Brown, the county's public health commissioner, said she had been told the health department would be able to open its front office area, where residents can get birth and death certificates.

Brown said the department also hopes to get its WIC clinic up and running Monday to avoid any further delays for residents who use those services.

"People should call before they come out to make sure what's available," Brown said.

Disaster discovered: Water pipes burst, force closure of Sandusky County Public Health office

Goal is to open walk-in COVID clinics by Wednesday

The majority of Sandusky County Public Health's staff will remain working from home early next week, Brown said.

She said she hopes the department will be able to set up its walk-in COVID-19 clinics by Wednesday, with possibility of holding them in Sandusky County Public Health's conference room.

There is no official estimate yet about the extent of the damage caused by the burst pipes, Brown said.

Brown said officials were alerted to the fiasco last weekend by an employee in an adjacent office building.

She said health department staff walked into the office and found "waterfalls," with water running down the walls.

This forced the health department to close the office to the public.

Brown said Friday the department may have lost the freezer that is used for vaccine storage, as well as a considerable amount of damage to ceilings, drywall, carpeting and desks.

"I can't have staff in certain areas, just because they're (cleanup crews) are working in those areas," Brown said.

Residents are encouraged to call the health department's main number at 419-334-6377 to check on services.

dacarson@gannett.com

419-334-1046

Twitter: @DanielCarson7

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Sandusky County Public Health office to reopen on limited basis Monday