Number of ‘red counties’ drops in state’s latest COVID-19 advisory map

Just six Ohio counties are red or Level 3 in the state’s latest coronavirus advisory map, the lowest number in the nine weeks Ohio’s been utilizing the color-coded system (Source: “Just six of 88 counties are red on latest Ohio coronavirus advisory map,” Cleveland.com, Aug. 27).

Gov. Mike DeWine unveiled the latest map on Thursday showing the following six counties in red: Lorain, Erie, Lucas, Mercer, Preble and Montgomery.

The county color coding in is based on numerous factors, including:  50 or more cases per 100,000 residents over a two week period, an increase in new cases for five days, cases in non-congregate living areas, emergency room visits, doctor visits, hospitalizations, intensive-care unit occupancy.

“The big story this week is we have 76 counties at the same level as they were last week, which is the smallest movement between levels that we have experienced so far,” DeWine said.