After being at Level 3/Red in the Ohio Public Health Advisory System (OPHAS) since December 24, 2020, Richland County has moved back to Level 2/Orange as of May 20, 2021. At this level, residents are advised to exercise a high degree of caution and to follow all existing health orders to help slow the spread of the virus. The last time Richland County was Level 2/Orange was September 24, 2020.

Richland County achieved the lower Advisory Level by meeting only two of the seven indicators: Cases per Capita (78.41cases per 100,000 over the last two weeks) and Non-Congregate Cases (60%). Indicators not met were New Cases (5.43 per day), Outpatient Visits (2.29 per day), Emergency Visits (1.14 per day), Hospital Admissions (0.43 seven day average), and ICU Bed Occupancy (6.50% of ICU beds). All those indicators were trending downward.

Richland County joins 58 other counties in Ohio that are now Level 2/Orange. Fourteen (14) counties now have Level 1/Yellow status. Sixteen (16) counties were still at Level 3/Red.

Richland County residents should follow the recommended guidelines to reduce the spread of the pandemic (health orders expire June 2. Examples include: masks, social distancing, and attendance limits):

  • Get your COVID-19 vaccine. All ages 12 and up are eligible for the Pfizer vaccines and ages 18 and older for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.
    • To find a vaccine provider, go to richlandhealth.org/vaccine-registration.
  • Wear a face covering (cloth mask) if you must be out in the public.
  • Must wear a face covering (cloth mask) when entering a retail business.
  • Maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet from non-household members.
  • Follow good hygiene standards, including:
    • Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
    • Use hand sanitizer frequently.
    • Avoid touching your face.
    • Cover coughs or sneezes (e.g., into a tissue, or elbow).
    • Symptom self-evaluation monitoring.
  • Decrease in-person interactions with others.
  • Limit attending gatherings of 10 or more people.
  • Conduct a daily health/symptom self-evaluation and stay at home if symptomatic.
  • Seek medical care as needed.

For more information about the coronavirus situation in Richland County visit richlandhealth.org and follow the coronavirus links in the sliders, including how to register to get the COVID-19 vaccine. For the latest case numbers see richlandhealth.org/coronavirus-data

For more information about the Ohio Public Health Advisory System, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov

If you have questions, call the Ohio Department of Health COVID-19 Call Line 1-833-427-5634. The call line is open from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. each day, including weekends.

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