Ohio coronavirus alert map improves for first time in weeks; 4 counties downgraded from red alert to orange – cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Four Ohio counties were downgraded from Level 3 red alert for concern of coronavirus spread on Thursday, marking the first improvement in weeks for the Ohio Department of Healths alert warning map.

However, Cuyahoga County and every other county in the northeast corner of Ohio remain on red alert this week. Overall, 80 of Ohios 88 counties are on red alert, meaning that according to the health department there remains a public emergency for increased exposure and spread, and that people should exercise a high degree of caution.

Beginning with Dec. 24, the red counties had been the same with the exception of two weeks in mid-January when Hamilton County was listed at the higher concern level of purple.

Downgraded to the lower level of Level 2 orange were Holmes, Mercer, Shelby and Williams counties. They join four Southeast Ohio counties that have been on orange for weeks - Gallia, Hocking, Monroe and Vinton.

A key test in whether counties are downgraded to the lower concern of Level 2 orange alert is the per capita case rate. Once designed as red, counties stay there at least until their rate of new cases drops below 100 per 100,000 over the previous two weeks, excluding incarcerated individuals.

Drawing close are several counties, including Noble (104 cases per 100,000), Ottawa (111), Putnam (112.2), Harrison (113), Ashland 114.1) and Wayne (115.8). The highest rates are in Morgan County (344.6), Athens (313.8) and Jefferson (295.4).

Every county in Greater Cleveland has shown marked improvements in this measure:

* Cuyahoga: 187 cases per 100,000 this week, down from 239 a week ago and 673.4 in mid-January, on Jan. 14.

* Geauga: 223.2, down from 262.6 and 604.4.

* Lake: 213.3, down from 295 and 762.5.

* Lorain: 216.9, down from 308.2 and 774.

* Medina: 185.8, down from 262.6 and 647.6.

* Portage: 234.5, down from 285 and 667.8.

* Summit: 210.9, down 289.1 and 724.8.

Overall, the health department in making alert designations tracks seven measures, including hospitalizations, trips to doctors offices and emergency room visits.

Every Ohio county was flagged again this week for having new case rates in excess of 50 per 100,000 over the last two weeks. And 86 of the 88 counties were flagged for at least 50% of the new cases at some point in the last three weeks being outside congregate living centers.

Cuyahoga, Geauga and Lorain counties were cited for meeting three of the seven thresholds this week; Lake, Medina, Portage and Summit two each.

Heres a closer look at the advisory system Gov. Mike DeWine introduced in early July.

* 1. New cases - Alert triggered when there are 50 new cases per cases 100,000 residents over the last two weeks.

* 2. Increase in new cases - Alert triggered by an increase in cases for five straight days at any point over the last three weeks. This is based on the date of onset of symptoms, not when the cases are reported.

* 3. Non-congregate living cases - Alert triggered when at least 50% of the new cases in one of the last three weeks have occurred in outside congregate living spaces such as nursing homes and prisons.

* 4. Emergency rooms - Alert triggered when there is an increase in visits for COVID-like symptoms or a diagnosis for five straight days at any point in the last three weeks.

* 5. Doctor visits - Alert triggered when there is an increase in out-patient visits resulting in confirmed cases or suspected diagnosis for COVID-19 for five straight days at any point in the last three weeks.

* 6. Hospitalizations - Alert triggered when there is an increase in new COVID-19 patients for five straight days at any point over the last three weeks. This is based on the county or residence, not the location of the hospital.

* 7. Intensive Care Unit occupancy - Alert triggered when ICU occupancy in a region exceeds 80% of total ICU beds and at least 20% of the beds are being used for coronavirus patients for at least three days in the last week.

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Ohio coronavirus alert map improves for first time in weeks; 4 counties downgraded from red alert to orange - cleveland.com