December 17, 2020
Wyandot Moved to Red Due To COVID-19
Due to the local increase in COVID-19 activity, the Ohio Department of Health announced today that Wyandot County has been upgraded to a Level Three ("Red") category on the Ohio Public Health Advisory System. A Level Three classification means that there is severe exposure and spread in the county. In response, citizens should limit their activities as much as possible, and follow current State Health Department orders.
The Ohio Public Health Alert System is a color coded dashboard that provides the public with current public health recommendations. The alert levels take into consideration new cases per capita, sustained increase in new cases for at least five days, proportion of cases not in a congregate setting, sustained increase in emergency room visits, sustained increase in outpatient hospital visits, sustained increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations, and intensive care unit bed occupancy percentage.
The Wyandot County Public Health Department has been tracking the increase in COVID-19 cases in the county over the past three weeks. We now have the highest incidence rate of COVID-19 in the state. According to Wyandot County Health Commissioner Dr. Keri Harris, the upgrade to red status was expected. "This is serious. This is life threatening. A red designation indicates a very high level of spread in the community and exposure is likely for individuals leaving their home if proper safety measures are not followed. The CDC , ODH, and Wyandot County Public Health urge residents to limit activities as much as possible and to continue to wash hands, wear masks, and social distance when around anyone outside of your household at all times, including this holiday season. I know people are tired of this, but it will not last forever. Vaccines are here and this gives us, as exhausted medical professionals, hope. However, the ONLY way we save lives RIGHT NOW is with the help of the members of our community doing their part to limit the spread of the virus.”
