COLUMBUS — Richland, Ashland and Crawford counties were all ranked “red,” or level three, on Thursday in the state’s COVID-19, color-coded ratings system.
The announcement by Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Dept. of Health came on the same day the state announced all 88 counties were now considered “high incidence” for spread of the coronavirus by CDC standards.
“As of today – every single county in the state of Ohio is high incidence,” DeWine said. “COVID19 is everywhere. We can’t hide from it, we have to face it.
“We have a shockingly high number of cases in the past 24 hours. 4,961 is a new record number of cases,” the governor said.
“We are once again at a critical juncture in our fight against COVID-19. Cases are spiking and are at an all-time high, but, the good news is that we are closer than ever to getting a vaccine. It’s always darkest before the dawn, but the light is coming. Ohio needs to be ready,” DeWine said.
According to the ODH website, the percentage of positive tests for COVID-19 (on a seven-day average) has risen from 2.9 percent on Sept. 18 to 7.6 percent on Nov. 3.
RICHLAND COUNTY
Richland County met five of the state’s seven indicators in the Public Health Advisory System, which the state launched July to help identity community spread of the illness.
“Richland County is one of 56 of Ohio’s 88 counties this week with the Level 3/Red designation,” Richland Public Health educator Reed Richmond said, adding, “86 percent of Ohioans are living in these red counties.”
Here are the five indicators “triggered” in Richland County this week:
New cases per capita — Flagged if greater than 50 cases per 100,000 residents over the last two weeks. Richland County had 359 new cases in the last two weeks, or 296.32 per 100,000 residents. This is an increase from 195.62 per 100,000 reported last week.
Sustained increase in new cases — Flagged if increasing trend of at least five consecutive days in overall cases by onset date over the last three weeks. Richland County actually had eight such days of growth from Oct. 20 to Oct. 27, rising from 20.29 on a seven-day average of 33.86.
Proportion of cases not in a congregate setting — Flagged if proportion of cases that are not in a congregate setting goes over 50 percent in at least one of the last three weeks. During the last three weeks, Richland County has reported 95.51 percent, 98.99 percent and 99.19 percent.
Sustained increase in emergency department visits for COVID-like illness — Flagged if increasing trend of at least five consecutive days in the number of visits to the emergency department with COVID-like illness or a diagnosis over the last 3 weeks. Richland County had five such days between Oct. 25-29, rising from 9.29 on a seven-day average to 11.86.
Sustained increase in outpatient visits for COVID-like illness — Flagged if increasing trend of at least five consecutive days in the number of people going to a health care provider with COVID symptoms who then receive a COVID-confirmed or suspected diagnosis over the last three weeks. Richland County had five such days between Oct. 27 and Oct. 31, rising from 27.71 visits on a seven-day average to 31.71.
The two indicators Richland County didn’t meet were sustained increase in new COVID hospital admissions and ICU bed occupancy.
CRAWFORD COUNTY
Crawford County met four of the indicators in the advisory system:
New cases per capita — Flagged if greater than 50 cases per 100,000 residents over the last two weeks. Crawford County reported 164 new cases over the last two weeks, or 395.24 cases per 100,000 residents.
Proportion of cases not in a congregate setting — Flagged if proportion of cases that are not in a congregate setting goes over 50 percent in at least one of the last three weeks. Crawford County, which was at 5.56 from Oct. 28 through Nov. 3, was at 51.67 percent Oct. 21-27 and 75 percent Oct. 14-20.
According to the ODH website, the Mill Creek Nursing and Rehabilitation nursing home in the county reported Wednesday it had 16 residents and 20 staff members currently positive for COVID-19. Cumulatively, the home has reported 49 residents and 36 staff members who have gotten the virus.
Sustained increase in emergency department visits for COVID-like illness — Flagged if increasing trend of at least five consecutive days in the number of visits to the emergency department with COVID-like illness or a diagnosis over the last three weeks. Crawford County had eight straight days of growth from Oct. 18-25, rising from 2.43 on a seven-day average to 6.14.
Sustained increase in outpatient visits for COVID-like illness — Flagged if increasing trend of at least five consecutive days in the number of people going to a health care provider with COVID symptoms who then receive a COVID-confirmed or suspected diagnosis over the last three weeks. Crawford County had six straight days of growth from Oct. 22-27, rising from 9.29 on a seven-day average to 13.86.
ASHLAND COUNTY
Ashland County met four of the state’s indicators:
New cases per capita — Flagged if greater than 50 cases per 100,000 residents over the last two weeks. Ashland County reported 109 new cases in the last two weeks, or 203.8 per 100,000 residents.
Sustained increase in new cases — Flagged if increasing trend of at least five consecutive days in overall cases by onset date over the last three weeks. Ashland County had five such days from Oct. 20-24, rising from 6.86 on a seven-day average to 10.
Proportion of cases not in a congregate setting — Flagged if proportion of cases that are not in a congregate setting goes over 50 percent in at least one of the last three weeks. In the last three weeks, Ashland County has reported 100 percent, 100 percent and 90.24 percent.
Sustained increase in emergency department visits for COVID-like illness — Flagged if increasing trend of at least five consecutive days in the number of visits to the emergency department with COVID-like illness or a diagnosis over the last three weeks. Ashland County had seven straight days of increase, rising from 1.29 on a seven-day average of 2.71.
Also on Thursday, DeWine announced new additions and changes to the ODH leadership team.
“Fighting a pandemic demands a multi-faceted response — one that requires us to focus on our short-term needs, but not lose sight of our long-term goals,” he said.
DeWine said Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, who has served for more than a decade as a senior vice president and as the chief medical officer at OhioHealth, has accepted the position of chief medical officer for ODH.
He also introduced Stephanie McCloud as the new ODH director. She had been the director of the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.
“She has the experience necessary to lead ODH as it carries out its important health functions while also battling the pandemic,” DeWine said.
Lance Himes, who has been serving as interim ODH director, is the new ODH senior deputy.
“He will lead the coordination of work to get a vaccine out to our citizens and will continue to work directly with Ohio’s local health commissioners,” DeWine said.
Richmond said Richland County residents are encouraged to limit activities as much as possible and to follow all current health orders. He said residents should also:
· Wear a face covering when out in the public.
· Maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet from non-household members.
· Consider necessary travel only.
· Follow good hygiene standards, including:
· Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
· Use hand sanitizer frequently.
· Avoid touching your face.
· Cover coughs or sneezes (e.g., into a tissue, or elbow).
· Symptom self-evaluation monitoring.
· Decrease in-person interactions with others.
· Limit attending gatherings of any number.
· Conduct a daily health/symptom self-evaluation and stay at home if symptomatic.
· Seek medical care as needed, but limit or avoid unnecessary visits to hospitals, nursing homes, and residential care facilities to see others as much as possible.
