Lorain County put on Level 3 advisory

Virus cases continue to climb

Lorain County has entered into a risk Level 3 red alert following record-breaking reporting novel coronavirus cases Oct. 22.

Ohio reported 2,425 new COVID-19 cases over the last 24 hours, a new record and the seventh day in the last week with over 2,000 new daily COVID-19 cases, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

Lorain County was one of 38 Ohio counties, close to half the state, that were red as of Oct. 22, an increase from 29 last week, according to a tweet from Gov. Mike DeWine.

With an increase in risk comes new precautions, as outlined by Lorain County Public Health.

On top of Level 1 yellow alert and two precautions like checking for COVID-19 symptoms, avoiding travel to high-risk areas and avoiding contact with those that are high-risk, a Level 3 advisory cautions residents to not leave home without wearing a face mask, limit being out and about as much as possible, decrease in-person interactions, avoid social gatherings of any size and travel only when necessary.

A total of 2,933 cases were reported in the county Oct. 22, with 2,555 of those confirmed and 2,165 people recovered, according to Lorain County Public Health.

Those numbers increased Oct. 23, now with 2,982 total cases, 2,578 confirmed and 2,174 recovered. Deaths remain at 82. State Rep. Joe Miller, D-Amherst, cautioned Lorain County residents in a news release to adhere to safety precautions with this new increase of risk, including wearing masks and practicing social distancing.

“Take it from me, as I am still experiencing the lingering effects of COVID-19 almost four weeks from becoming infected,” Miller said. “Everyone experiences symptoms differently, and you never know how this virus could impact you and your family.

“The best thing we can do right now is to remain vigilant and courteous to those around us. We are in this together.”