By: MahoningMatters Staff; 1812Blockhouse
In response to the statewide spike in coronavirus cases, Ohio will adopt a county-by-county strategy for containing the virus.
Govenor Mike DeWine announced Thursday the state’s implementation of a Public Health Advisory System. It consists of four levels, and levels are determined by seven indicators:
- New cases per capita
- Sustained increase in new cases
- Proportion of cases not in congregate settings, like prisons or nursing homes
- Sustained increase in emergency room visits
- Sustained increase in outpatient visits
- Sustained increase in new COVID-19 hospital admissions
- ICU bed occupancy
Level 1 counties, represented by the color yellow, have reached thresholds for 0 or 1 of the indicators. As of June 30, 53 counties are at this level.
Level 2 counties, represented by the color orange, have triggered 2 or 3 of the indicators. As of June 30, 28 counties — including Richland County — are at this level. DeWine said Ohioans in these counties should limit unnecessary trips to visit people
Level 3 counties, represented by the color red, have triggered 4 or 5 of the indicators. As of June 30, 7 counties are at this level. DeWine said Ohioans in these counties should limit activities as much as possible and wear a mask.
DeWine reviewed the level three counties and noted that Trumbull County has met four of the indicators: New cases per capita, the proportion of cases not in congregate settings like prisons or nursing homes, sustained increase in emergency room visits and sustained increase in outpatient visits.
Level 4 counties, represented by the color purple, have triggered 6 or 7 of the indicators. As of June 30, no counties are at this level, but Franklin County is on the watch list, DeWine said. People living in level four counties should only leave home for supplies and services.
But, DeWine reminded Ohioans, “There is a baseline risk to everyone in every county, every community, every single day.”
