COLUMBUS – Faced with surging COVID-19 cases due to the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus, Columbus City Council on Monday night approved an ordinance requiring anyone over the age of three to wear facial coverings in all indoor public spaces.
The action, which replaces an executive order issued by Mayor Andrew Ginther, on Friday will be enforced by Columbus Public Health though police will be authorized to enforce trespassing laws if a someone refuses to comply with the mandate in a business or other public place.
“People with COVID-19 who never get sick or have mild symptoms can spread it to others, including those who are at high risk of complications. Vaccines and face coverings are the best tools we have to protect health and prevent the spread of disease in our community,” Columbus Health Commissioner Dr. Mysheika Roberts said.
Individuals will receive a warning for the first violation, a $100 fine for the second violation, and a $250 fine for each subsequent violation.
Businesses will also receive a warning, followed by a $500 fine for a second violation and a $1,000 fine for subsequent violations.
The mandate will remain in effect until rescinds his emergency proclamation or City Council takes further action.
Hospitals strained
Hospital officials across Ohio continue to warn that the increase in cases due to the delta variant is straining the health care system.
The heads of hospitals in 13 central and southern Ohio counties, including Fairfield Medical Center, Madison Health in London, and OhioHealth Berger Hospital in Circleville, are urging residents to get vaccinated or wear masks
According to the Ohio Department of Health, more than 18,000 new cases of COVID-19 were reported since Friday and an average of 5,735 new cases were reported daily over the past three weeks.
Worries about younger patients
Officials at Nationwide Children’s Hospital say central Ohio is seeing an uptick in pediatric COVID-19 cases as well as other respiratory viruses.
The hospital has seen an average of 23 patients with COVID-19 and an average of nine patients in its intensive-care unit.
COVID-19 and RSV, combined with staffing challenges, have put a strain on emergency rooms and urgent care centers, which hospital officials say are experiencing higher than normal wait times.
The state Monday reported that 26.3% of COVID-19 cases in Ohio are among those age 18 and under.