COLUMBUS – There is good news and bad news – but mostly good news – about Ohio’s battle against COVID-19.
Coping with Coronavirus: The latest data and helpful links
For the first time in four days, the state reported over 1,000 new confirmed and probable cases on Thursday — 1,122.
There were another 1,043 new cases reported Friday for a total of 113,046 with 3,955 deaths. There were currently 16,355 active cases, 63 fewer than the day before.
However, Gov. Mike DeWine says the number of counties considered to be at “very high risk of exposure and spread” has dropped to nine, designated in red on the map of the state’s four-tiered color-coded Public Health Advisory System, the lowest number since the state started using the system. .
In central Ohio, Fairfield and Licking counties were upgraded from Level 3 to Level 2 and DeWine predicted Franklin County would follow.
“Franklin is edging down and we hope next week it’s no longer red,” he said during a televised briefing from his home in Cedarville Thursday.
DeWine said Franklin County still reported 109 new cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population over the last two weeks, bringing the county’s toll since the pandemic began to 20,316.
Areas seeing growth are now more likely than before to be Ohio’s rural counties and small towns.
“Ohio continues to see a shift in virus spread. In urban areas, where residents have been wearing masks longer, we’re seeing spread decline, but rural areas are seeing more spread,” DeWine said.
-0-
DeWine announced Thursday that adult day care centers and senior centers may open at a reduced capacity beginning on Sept. 21 if the facilities can meet certain safety standards, which will be outlined in a forthcoming health order.
Meanwhile, a statewide saliva testing initiative for the state’s more than 765 assisted living facilities is now underway to offer baseline testing to all staff and residents at no cost.
The tests can be self-performed or performed with assistance, under the observance of licensed medical staff. Baseline saliva tests are minimally invasive and provide reliable results in approximately 48 hours upon the lab’s receipt, DeWine said.
-0-
The Ohio Department of Administrative Services will provide an estimated 800,000 masks, 64,000 face shields, and 26,000 gowns to Ohio’s 88 boards of election for use by poll workers and voters on Election Day Nov. 3.
Secretary of State Frank LaRose will distribute the PPE in early September, DeWine said.