The Vindicator prints area Health Notes each Tuesday. Events should be open to the public and hosted by a nonprofit organization. To submit Health Notes, email to society @tribtoday.com or mail to 240 Franklin St. SE, Warren, OH 44483.

EDITOR’S NOTE: These notes are prepared in advance. Please contact any of the groups before attending events listed below. Many meetings are being canceled or postponed out of concern of the COVID-19 outbreak.

HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS: Mahoning County Public Health works to protect the public’s health and to ensure conditions in which all people can live healthy lives.

Recommendations from public health are as follows:

• Continue to practice primary prevention actions and social distancing as we work to slow the spread of COVID-19.

• The majority of people with COVID-19 will experience mild to moderate symptoms. Testing is not necessary and self-care is recommended. Fever-reducing medication can be used for fever and cough medicine for coughs.

• For questions from the general public related to COVID-19, call the Ohio Department of Health call center at 1-833-427-5634, opened between the hours of 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily.

For a complete list of services visit mahoninghealth.org.

HOSPITAL NAMED TOP: Southwoods Health is pleased to announce The Surgical Hospital at Southwoods has been named a “Top Patient-Recommended Hospital,” as reported by Becker’s Hospital Review. Southwoods is the only hospital in Ohio and one of only 22 hospitals nationwide named to this list.

The list is based on figures from CMS’ Hospital Compare website and represents the most recent Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) scores.

For more information on the services available at Southwoods, visit Southwoods-Health.com. For more information on the “Top Patient-Recommended Hospitals” list, visit BeckersHospital

Review.com.

VALLEY COUNSELING OPERATING: Valley Counseling Services will continue providing mental health services to residents of the Mahoning Valley throughout the governor’s stay-at-home order. Necessary precautions will be taken to keep clients and staff safe.

Most services will be phone-based or video-based beginning this week. Clients do not need to cancel their appointment. Instead they will receive therapy, case management, nursing and psychiatry services in the safety of their home.

VCS staff will contact anyone with an existing appointment to make the necessary arrangements for their telehealth appointment.

VCS is accepting new clients at our offices located throughout Trumbull, Mahoning and Portage counties. Residents needing extra support to assist with their anxiety, depression or other mental health related concerns are encourage to call and schedule a same-day appointment. Visit the website at vcs.fcsserves.org or call 330-399-6451 for more information.

EASTERSEAL MEALS: Easterseals offers home-delivered meals to homebound clients 60 and older in Mahoning and Columbiana counties. There are different meal options. A suggested donation of $2 per meal helps support the program; donations are voluntary. Call 330-884-2513.

Easterseals offers nonmedical transportation to independent seniors 60 and older in Mahoning and Trumbull counties. A suggested donation of $2.50 per trip helps support the program; donations are voluntary. Call 330-884-2511 to schedule.

OHIO LIVING SENIOR CENTER: Ohio Living, Home Health and Hospice Senior Center, 1110 Fifth Ave., Youngstown.

For information, call 330-744-5071 or go to ohioliving.org.

NAR-ANON PROGRAM: Nar-Anon, a 12-step program for relatives and friends who have been adversely affected by a loved one’s addiction to drugs, meets regularly. For information, call Bill at 330-856-3822.

• A New Day Nar-Anon Family Group can be reached by calling Cindy at 330-207-0845.

LUPUS SUPPORT: Trumbull Mahoning Lupus Support Group offers support to family members and those who suffer from Lupus. For more information, call Rhonda at 330-978-3749.

NAMI SUPPORT GROUPS: NAMI Mahoning Valley offers support and education to those dealing with serious mental illness.