The Building Regulations Department also has discontinued in-person appointments inside City Hall.
Those offices have been open to the public on a limited basis after some began to be reopened to the public in May after a mayoral proclamation closed them in March.
“We understand that this might pose an inconvenience to the public, but what is more important is the public’s safety,” Springfield City Manager Bryan Heck said. “It’s critical that we keep public health a priority while still delivering vital services to the community.”
The city isn’t the only one closing its doors because of COVID.
On Wednesday, the Board of Clark County Commissioners announced they would be transitioning to virtual operations, beginning on Thursday, because of the virus.
The shift will mean government employees will be encouraged to work-from-home, including conducting all meetings virtually or by phone, with buildings being open to the public on an appointment-only basis.
Also because of an increase in cases throughout the county, the Clark County Combined Health District opened a free semi-permanent COVID-19 testing site this week.
Named the CTEC Clinic, the testing site is located inside Mercy Health — Springfield’s Occupational Health building at 2501 E. High St. in Springfield.
Testing at the clinic is free, CCCHD communications coordinator Kyle Trout said, however, appointments are required. The clinic is open Monday (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), Tuesday (1 to 6 p.m.), Thursday (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and Friday (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.). To schedule an appointment, contact 937-390-5600.
Charles Patterson, the health commissioner at the CCCHD, said this month the health district had been looking into setting up a “semi-permanent” testing site for a while since the county has seen a surge of cases over the course of the last month.
“Previously we have just had pop-ups, and the pop-ups have been good but if you are looking for a test site they might be going ‘wait I’m looking for a test site today and there isn’t a test site until Monday,’” Patterson said.
Clark County had 4,499 cases, 110 deaths and five probable deaths of the coronavirus as of Thursday, according to the Ohio Department of Health. However, case data is incomplete due to “thousands of reports pending review,” ODH’s website says.
Facts & Figures:
Nov. 23: Date Springfield City buildings will be closed to the public for the remainder for the year
4: Number days each week Clark County Combined Health District’s new COVID-19 clinic is open
4,499: Total cases of COVID-19 in Clark County, according to the Ohio Department of Health
