According to the Ohio Department of Health’s website, as of Thursday afternoon, Champaign County had 157 cases, and one death, of the coronavirus. Clark County had 1,115 cases, 12 deaths and two probable deaths.
Champaign County has been at level 1 since Gov. Mike DeWine unveiled the advisory system on July 2.
It is also the only county at level 1 in the Miami Valley region, the rest of the area, excluding Montgomery County which is at a level 3, is at level 2.
This week Champaign County hit just one of the indicators - new cases per capita - used to determine risk level, according to the ODH’s website. Clark County hit three; new cases per capita, proportion of cases not in a community spread and sustained increase in outpatient visits for COVID-like illness.
Champaign County’s sustained position at level 1 comes as the Champaign Health District has been vocal about a significant increase in cases in the county.
“In the four months since our first reported case of COVID-19 in Champaign County, we were at 56 cases. In the last three weeks alone, we have had 82 cases - a 142% increase,” CHD Health Commissioner Gabe Jones said on Monday. “Now more than ever we urge all Champaign County residents to please take all precautions you can to protect yourselves and others.”
On Monday the district issued a statement saying 33 employees of Michael Farms in Urbana had tested positive for the coronavirus.
The Springfield News-Sun reached out to the CHD for an update on the outbreak on Thursday and did not receive a response.
Clark County’s level has fluctuated — at one point hitting level 3, commonly referred to as the red light level, before returning back to level 2 the following week.
There are seven alert indicators that the Ohio Department of Health uses when judging what level to give a county. Indicators include: new cases per capita, sustained increase in new cases, proportion of cases not in a community spread, sustained increase in emergency department visits for COVID-like illness, sustained increase in outpatient visits for COVID-like illness, sustained increase in new COVID hospital admissions and intensive care unit bed occupancy.
As of Thursday afternoon, Ohio has reported 97,471 total cases and 3,618 deaths of the coronavirus, according to the ODH. Between Wednesday and Thursday, 1,100 new cases were reported.
Facts & Figures:
1: Champaign County’s level on the Ohio Public Health Advisory System
2: Clark County’s level on the Ohio Public Health Advisory System
157: Numer of coronavirus cases in Champaign County
1,115: Number of coronavirus cases in Clark County
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