Eight more counties moved to red on COVID alert system; DeWine orders statewide mask mandate

Eight Ohio counties moved to “red” status on the latest update to the state’s color-coded COVID-19 alert system, with Allen County marked as approaching Level 4, or “purple” status (Source: “Eight Ohio counties move to ‘red’ coronavirus alert status; Allen County approaching ‘purple’ status,” Cleveland.com, June 23).

That makes 23 counties out of 88 that fall into level 3 status, the second-highest risk alert category. Level 4 status is when there is severe exposure and spread in a community. Northwestern Allen County, which contains Lima, has reported 110 coronavirus in the past 14 days -- 23% of the total cases the county has experienced.

Also this week, Gov. Mike DeWine announced that he is issuing a statewide face mask mandate (Source: “Coronavirus in Ohio: Gov. Mike DeWine issues statewide mask order,” Columbus Dispatch, July 22).

Effective on Thursday, masks are required for people in indoor public places, in outdoor places where social-distancing can’t be maintained, and using public transportation, DeWine said. Exceptions will be made for those who are under the age of 10, have a medical condition, are playing sports, are eating or drinking, or who are speaking at a religious service.

On Friday afternoon, the Ohio Department of Health reported 81,746 cases of COVID-19 (an increase of 1,560 from Thursday), 10,072 hospitalizations (an increase of 104) and 3,297 deaths (41 more reported in past 24 hours).