public health advisory system

Franklin County First In Ohio To Reach Highest Level Of COVID-19 Severity

By Paige Pfleger & • Nov 19, 2020
A view of the downtown Columbus skyline from Franklinton.
Mary Rathke / WOSU

Franklin County is the first and only county in the state to be elevated to a level four "purple" health emergency, the most severe indicator on Ohio's Public Health Advisory map.

Ohio Sets Record With More Than 7,000 New Coronavirus Cases

By • Nov 12, 2020

A day after Gov. Mike DeWine strengthened face mask orders, the state reported 7,101 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in Ohio to 274,457.

Ohio Counties Avoid Turning 'Purple,' But DeWine Cautions There Is 'No Place To Hide'

By • Oct 29, 2020

Despite much speculation, not a single Ohio county turned "purple" on the state's coronavirus health advisory scale Thursday, however, the previous day the state saw its highest single-day increase in cases ever - 3,590. 

COVID-19 Cases Decreasing In Summit But Rising In Portage Counties

By & • Sep 17, 2020

Updated: 5:35 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020

Summit County has dropped from coronavirus alert Level 3, or red, down two levels to Level 1, or yellow, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced Thursday during his regular virus briefing.

But more counties are moving up from Level 1 to Level 2, and in the case of Portage County, the increase in COVID-19 cases has taken the county up from Level 2 to Level 3.

Coronavirus In Ohio: Franklin County Drops To 'Orange' Health Emergency

By • Aug 27, 2020
Downtown Columbus, buildings and water.
Ryan Hitchcock / WOSU

Franklin County is among four counties that saw their public health emergency levels reduced this week due to dropping rates of new COVID-19 cases.

Columbus City Schools Allows Sports Again As Outbreak Eases In Franklin County

By & Paige Pfleger • Aug 27, 2020
Empty Basketball Courts at the former Dominion Middle School.
Mary Rathke / WOSU Public Media

Columbus City Schools will once again allow sports and other extracurriculars, just two weeks after the district suspended in-person activities, due to dropping rates of new COVID-19 cases in the area.

Coronavirus In Ohio: Senior Centers, Adult Day Services Can Reopen In September

By & • Aug 21, 2020
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine gives a press conference from his home in Cedarville.
Office of Gov. Mike DeWine

Gov. Mike DeWine on Thurday set a reopening date of senior centers and adult day centers for September 21 and laid out several measures the facilities will have to follow.

Coronavirus In Ohio: Mask Mandate Coming For More Than Half Of State's Population

By • Jul 16, 2020
Gov. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio)
Office of Gov. Mike DeWine

There are now 19 counties under a Level 3 advisory for the spread of COVID-19 in Ohio. This means more than 60% of the state's population will be under a mask mandate going into the weekend.

Gov. Mike DeWine: 'Wear A Mask Every Time You Go Out In Public'

By • Jul 15, 2020
Gov. Mike DeWine holds up a face mask at a press conference April 6, 2020.
Office of Gov. Mike DeWine

In a special address from the Ohio Statehouse, Gov. Mike DeWine urged all Ohioans to wear face masks no matter where in the state they live, but declined to issue any new statewide requirements.

Coronavirus In Ohio: Gov. DeWine Mandates Face Masks In Seven Counties

By • Jul 7, 2020
Gov. Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine wearing face masks on June 23, 2020.
Office of Gov. Mike DeWine

Gov. Mike DeWine announced the Ohio Department of Health will issue a public health order requiring face masks in public in seven counties where the spread of COVID-19 is considered most severe.