Auglaize County status ranks as 'public emergency'
Auglaize County’s continuing increase of coronavirus cases had led to its designation of Level 3 (Red) — or public emergency — status in the Ohio Department of Health’s Public Health Advisory System.
The change in status from Level 2 to Level 3 was based on a data review and the county meeting four of the seven indicators of the advisory system.
Auglaize County Health Commissioner Oliver Fisher acknowledged that nursing homes were among areas seeing an increase in cases, but said the proportion of cases not in a congregate setting also contributed to the level change.
Other indicators included 495 new cases per 100,000 people; an increase from 13.9 average cases on Oct. 8 to 23.3 by Oct. 23; and a sustained increase in out-patient visits (2.3 average visits on Oct. 13 to 6 on Oct. 27.)
hio Governor Mike DeWine announced today Ohio has now hit a record number of cases reported in a single 24-hour period. Between yesterday and today, health officials have reported a total of 3,590 new positive coronavirus cases in Ohio which is more than 700 cases more than the previous high number of cases reported last Saturday. A total of 194 new hospitalizations were also reported in the past 24 hours, the third-highest number of hospitalizations reported in a single day so far.
"The virus is raging throughout the state, and there is no place to hide," said DeWine. "We must face this virus head-on with the tools that we know can beat this virus back: masks, social distancing, washing hands frequently, and good ventilation when inside."
The county health department continues to repeat the same message. Fisher recommends wearing a mask, social distancing, going home if you are not feeling well and reconsidering hosting or attending gatherings or events of any size.
Fisher said the public needs to take public health measures seriously to decrease the spread. Fisher said he wouldn’t want the state to intervene, or for a second shutdown to occur.
He said to avoid heavily trafficked areas and social distance while waiting to approach houses. He suggested that face masks could be incorporated into a halloween costume.
“There is no better time to be wearing a mask,” Fisher said.
New health data compiled by the Ohio Department of Health found that 43 counties currently have a very high risk of exposure and spread (Red Level 3), up from 38 counties last week. This represents the highest number of Red Level 3 counties since the launch of the advisory system in July. As of last week, 78 percent of Ohioans are living in a Red Level 3 county. Less than 1 percent of Ohioans live in a Yellow Level 1 county.
"Despite the grim data that we see today, I am confident that we can slow down this invader," said Governor DeWine. "The decisions Ohioans make each day will determine the outcome of this battle. We must mask more, keep distance more, and simply be more careful. We can control our destiny."