COLUMBUS – For the second time in as many days, Ohio reported a new high number of new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 and a jump in the number of counties at risk for high rates of exposure and spread.
The 2,178 new cases reported on Thursday eclipsed the previous high mark, set the day before. It brought the total number of cases since the pandemic began to 175,843 with 5,038 deaths. The state’s rate of positive coronavirus tests over the past two weeks was 4.2%, Gov. Mike DeWine said.
“When you look at the data today, the future than that paints is ugly,” DeWine told reporters at his Thursday afternoon coronavirus briefing.
Ohio is not alone. It was one of eight states posting single-day highs for new cases Thursday, among 60,000 new cases reported nationwide.
He asked Ohioans to reconsider holding events such as political rallies, bonfires and car shows but did not prohibit gatherings and said, while it would be “irresponsible” to completely rule out another economic shutdown to stop the spread, “we have no plans to shut anything down.”
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He said Ohioans can reverse the trend by following health & safety guidelines familiar to us: wearing masks, staying 6 feet from others, avoiding large gatherings and washing hands often.
Franklin County moved back up to advisory level 3 (red). Transmission of COVID-19 is high. Activities should be limited as much as possible. Please continue to wear masks, stay 6 feet from others, avoid large groups & wash your hands often. https://t.co/1aTfWeR14A pic.twitter.com/4Ogjz7Zf99
— Franklin County PH (@FC_PublicHealth) October 15, 2020
Franklin, Licking, Madison and Union counties in central Ohio were among 13 counties upgraded to Level 3 on the state’s four-tiered public health advisory system, a “red tide” washing over the state, according to DeWine.
The red on the color-coded map indicates a county experiencing “very high exposure and spread” of the coronavirus.
With 29 of the state’s 88 counties designated as Level 3, DeWine says 65% of the state’s population live in counties colored red on the advisory system map (above).
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Beginning Oct. 19, COVID-19 testing at Columbus Public Health will move to the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair Celeste Center, 717 E. 17th Avenue so the health agency can continue to serve the public during cold weather months.
The last day for COVID-19 testing at Columbus Public Health will be Friday, October 16.
Testing will continue to be available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
To make an appointment to get tested for COVID-19, call 614-645-1519.