Area sees a sharp antibiotic shortage

WAPAKONETA - Auglaize County Board of Health members discussed an amoxicillin shortage and pandemic fatigue affecting vaccinations during their Tuesday morning meeting.

According to epidemiologist Natalie Hicks, amoxicillin has increased in sales 65% this flu and RSV season. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic medication used to treat a number of bacterial infections.

As a result, officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said they expect availability of the drug to drop, causing a rise in strep throat infections, she said.

Nursing director Jessica Whetstone said to find amoxicillin for a sick child, people may have to visit multiple locations or consider off-brand medication. Some individuals may seek the advice of a doctor for non-pharmacological solutions such as humidifiers.

Hicks said there were 32 flu-associated hospitalizations in December, a stark rise compared to nine flu-associated hospitalizations in November. There have been nine hospitalizations for the flu in January.

At the same time, Hicks said flu season appears to have peaked in the U.S. and Ohio. Pediatric bed capacity returned to normal levels in December once RSV cases subsided, she said.

Even so, Hicks said COVID-19 is the only respiratory disease that is trending upward, and she blamed variants.

There were 201 confirmed and 175 probable cases of COVID reported in the county in December, Hicks said. She said there are currently no antibody treatments for the most recent COVID variant. People over 70 years old are more likely to be hospitalized because of the virus.

ICU and ventilator statistics are not increasing, she noted.

Hicks said those with the bivalent booster unveiled this past fall are 18.6 times less likely to die from COVID and three times less likely to get COVID infections in general.

"Everyone is facing PPE (personal protective equipment) and panic fatigue," she said. "At the beginning of COVID we were all really worried, everyone was trying to do their best. But now we are almost into three years dealing with this virus. Everyone is going 'this is exhausting.'"

Medical director Dr. Juan Torres agreed, but noted there is herd immunity now and more control of the virus in this stage of the pandemic.

During their organizational meeting, Dan Harpster was elected board president and Kim Preuter was elected vice president.

Board members approved 2023 appropriations and their mileage reimbursement rate in line with IRS rates.

Auglaize County Health Commissioner Oliver Fisher also discussed the need for new flooring at the health department. The discussion was tabled so quotes could be gathered.

Board members went into executive session to discuss personnel compensation. No action was anticipated.

The board meets next at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 14 in the board conference room at the health department in Wapakoneta.