Governor DeWine COVID-19 Banner [ [link removed] ]
*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:*
October 15, 2020 *MEDIA CONTACTS:*
Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957
Breann Almos: 614-644-0957



COVID-19 Update: Updated County Risk Levels, Increased Spread in Cases

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted today provided the following updates on Ohio's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

*UPDATED COUNTY RISK LEVELS*

Governor DeWine today released Ohio's updated Public Health Advisory Systemmap. New health data compiled by the Ohio Department of Health found that 29 counties currently have a very high risk of exposure and spread (Level 3):

Adams, Butler, Clark, Cuyahoga, Fayette, Franklin, Greene, Guernsey, Hamilton, Highland, Lawrence, Licking, Lucas, Madison, Mahoning, Marion, Mercer, Montgomery, Muskingum, Pike, Portage, Putnam, Richland, Ross, Stark, Summit, Scioto, Union, and Warren

We have 70 counties that are either red or high incidence. Thats 10 million Ohioans or 85% of the population, living in an area with a high risk of community transmission, Governor DeWine said.

Governor DeWine reviewed the seven indicators of the Ohio Public Health Advisory System, which assess the degree of the virus spread in each county. The seven indicators are:


* Indicator 1: New cases per capita
* Indicator 2: Sustained increase in new cases
* Indicator 3: Proportion of cases not in congregate setting
* Indicator 4: Sustained increase in Emergency Department visits for COVID-like illness
* Indicator 5: Sustained increase in outpatient visits for COVID-like illness
* Indicator 6: Sustained increase in new COVID hospital admissions
* Indicator 7: Intensive Care Unit bed occupancy
Updated Advisory

A county-by-county breakdown outlining the presence of COVID-19 in all of Ohio's 88 counties can be found on theOhio Public Health Advisory System's website. [ [link removed] ]

*INCREASED SPREAD IN CASES*

Governor DeWine also announced the states positivity rate was 5.4% and the seven-day average was 4.2%. This is up from September when the positivity rate was 2.7%. He reported that today Ohio has 1,042 COVID inpatients in hospitals, which is a significant increase from the 563 patients on September 20, 2020.

Governor DeWine spoke with Dr. Nick Dreher, medical director of the Population Health Innovation Institute at MetroHealth System, and Dr. David Margolius, division director of internal medicine at MetroHealth System about the recent rise in COVID-19 cases in Ohio.

Dr. Margolius told Ohioans that if they are planning to spend time with family and friends, they need to do it safely, by wearing a mask and practicing social distancing. Dr. Dreher reminded Ohioans that they know how to fight the spread of COVID-19 and need to continue following the proper prevention methods to avoid stress on Ohios hospital systems.

The only way, the only way we can beat this virus back is to follow the prevention methods we have been talking about since the beginning of the pandemic, said Governor DeWine. Stay home when you are sick. Social distance. Wear a mask. Always.

*CENSUS REMINDER*

Lt. Governor Husted also reminded Ohioans that today is the last day to respond to the 2020 Census. The Census determines the spending of *$675 Billion* in federal funds and what portion of that funding comes back to Ohio for schools, hospitals, public safety, roads, and bridges.

Individuals can respond online at *2020Census.gov* or by phone: In English *844-330-2020* or in Spanish *844-468-2020.*

*CURRENT COVID-19 DATA*

There are 175,843 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio and 5,038 confirmed and probable COVID-19 deaths. A total of 16,824 people have been hospitalized, including 3,507 admissions to intensive care units. In-depth data can be accessed by visiting coronavirus.ohio.gov.

Video of today's full update, including versions with foreign language translation, can be viewed on the Ohio Channel's YouTube page.

For more information on Ohio's response to COVID-19, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.


30


________________________________________________________________________

STAY CONNECTED: Visit us on Facebook [ [link removed] ] Visit us on Twitter [ [link removed] ] Visit us on YouTube [ [link removed] ] Visit us on Instagram [ [link removed] ]

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
Governor.Ohio.gov [ [link removed] ] | Unsubscribe [ [link removed] ]|Help [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities 150 E. Campus View Blvd Columbus, Ohio 43235 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]