With great sadness we share today that a third COVID-19 related death has been recorded for a Union County resident. Per data from the Ohio Department of Health, the Union County resident was a male in the 60-69 age range. No further information is being released in accordance with Ohio’s Protected Health Information laws. Our condolences and prayers are with his family.
Union County Moves to Red Alert Level
Today, Oct. 15, Union County moved to a Red Level Alert on the Ohio Public Health Advisory System. Currently there are 29 red counties in Ohio or 65% of Ohioans living in a red county. A second warning indicator is the prevalence of the virus in Ohio. 52 Ohio counties are now meeting or exceeding the CDC’s threshold for high incidence of the virus (defined as 100 or more new cases per 100,000 residents reported during the previous two weeks).
In Union County, we have continued to see sustained growth in cases since mid September. On Oct. 12, we reported our highest number of actively ill cases at a single point in time since the beginning of the pandemic (56 people with reported infections who are currently infectious and in isolation). We also saw our highest number of new cases (by report date) in a single week (43 new cases reported from Oct. 06 to Oct. 12). We have seen hospitalizations increase from 19 (cumulative) on Aug. 31 to 29 hospitalizations reported as of today. Outpatient visits have increased from a seven day average of about 4 patients per day to about 12 per day.
Locally, in addition to unknown sources of infection and spread through households, we are seeing disease spread associated with social gatherings such as birthday parties, weddings, and sleepovers.
Our Message to Our Community: Remain Vigilant
The efforts we have taken have made a difference. We know many of us are tired and frustrated. Protecting our community in a pandemic is a long, slow fight against both the virus and “pandemic fatigue”. We know that fall and winter holidays are quickly approaching. We know increasing virus activity following Mothers Day, Graduation, 4th of July, and Labor Day will likely happen again. We are asking our businesses to re-focus on efforts to encourage required social distancing, mask wearing, and keeping sick employees home. We are asking event organizers to take a second look at safety plans for upcoming events – Can we ensure social distancing? Can we encourage masks? We are asking residents to continue masking and social distancing. When a vast majority of our community works together to do these things, we know it makes a difference.
Case Count
521 cumulative cases of COVID-19 have been reported to the Union County Health Department. 56 individuals are currently infectious and in isolation. 462 individuals have been released from isolation. 29 cumulative hospitalizations have been reported (2 individuals are currently hospitalized). Three COVID-19 related deaths have been reported among Union County residents. Of the 521 cumulative cases, 426 cases are lab confirmed, 95 cases are probable per CDC definition. The median age is 38 and the age range is <1 to 97. To date, three of the 521 cases have been reported among residents of a long-term care facility. Case count excludes inmates housed at the Ohio Reformatory for Women.