Coronavirus in Ohio: Hamilton and Butler counties could soon move to the highest level on state's alert system

COLUMBUS - Three Southwest Ohio counties are among the worst in the state for novel coronavirus spread, according to a new county-by-county map released Thursday.

That means residents of Clermont County will need to wear masks in many circumstances starting at 6 p.m. Friday, joining Hamilton and Butler counties. Three of the state's 12 counties where masks will be mandatory are in the Greater Cincinnati area.  

Both Hamilton and Butler counties are on the verge of being pushed into the state's most serious level. If they reach that point, the state would advise residents to stay at home and travel only when necessary. 

One factor in that rise: the region's capacity of intensive care unit beds surpassed 80% on five days in the last week. But other numbers are going in the wrong direction, too: Between June 24 and June 30, Hamilton County had 1,124 new cases of COVID-19, the most in a week since the beginning of the pandemic.

“This is not about fear,” DeWine said about the map. “This is about us controlling our future, this is about Ohioans controlling our own destiny, and they need information to be able to do that.”

DeWine hopes that residents in Southwest Ohio will take these warnings to heart and take precautions such as wearing masks, washing hands, keeping six feet of distance between people and limiting indoor activities. 

"If we could get 75 to 80% of people who are actually out in public, who are interacting with other people to wear a mask, we will beat this thing down," DeWine said. "It will make a fundamental difference. It will change the fall. It will change the winter."

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Local officials have said they won't enforce the mask mandate or can't enforce it because of a lack of resources. Given those limitations, it's not clear how effective the state requirement will be. 

But an Enquirer spot check of several stores Thursday found many people were complying with the requirement to wear face coverings inside. 

The pitch could be more difficult in deeply conservative counties where some lawmakers have questioned the state's numbers or said residents shouldn't get tested for COVID-19.  

In Butler County, for example, the number of people in emergency room beds increased from two people a week to seven people a week – not a large number in a county of more than 380,000. But DeWine said Ohioans should watch the trend: Is your county moving in the right direction or the wrong one? 

The risk levels are determined by seven public health data points, including new cases per capita, more doctors' office visits for coronavirus symptoms and several days of increasing COVID-19 hospital admissions. A county reaches level 3, or red, if it meets four or five indicators; six or more indicators raises the alert to level 4, or purple.

Returning to school 

Each college and university must come up with a plan for COVID-19 testing on campus and how students showing symptoms will be isolated, DeWine said Thursday.

That might mean setting up a residence hall where symptomatic students can isolate away from their dorm or apartment. 

To help with costs, DeWine is asking a panel to approve $200 million of the state's share of federal stimulus money be spent at two- and four-year public and private institutions. He will also request to spend $100 million from that fund for K-12 schools.

That money could be spent in several ways, including buying masks or paying for testing. 

“We want our kids back in school. We want them safe," DeWine said. "This money will help achieve that."

DeWine staffer tests positive

DeWine disclosed one of his staffers has tested positive for the coronavirus. The employee has been working from home and had no contact with DeWine or Lt. Gov. Jon Husted.

On Wednesday, the Ohio House confirmed a staffer there recently tested positive.

Anti-body test study

The state has begun a long-anticipated study to determine prevalence of the coronavirus. Husted said postcards were mailed out last week to identify participants and the first blood samples for anti-body testing were collected Thursday. 

Husted said the study is expected to conclude by the end of the month.

Cases and trends

In total, 61,331 people have been known to have been infected with the coronavirus, with 1,150 cases reported since the previous day.

Cumulatively, 3,006 people have died, with 15 newly reported Thursday.

As of Thursday, 8,570 people have been hospitalized at one point. An estimated 905 people were currently occupying Ohio hospital beds Thursday, according to the Ohio Hospital Association.

That’s the highest number since May 26, but still below mid-April to mid-May when more than 1,000 COVID-19 patients were in Ohio hospitals each day.

The statewide positive test rate has increased slightly in recent weeks from a low of 3.8% during the second week of June. DeWine said the rate was 6.4% on July 7, the most recent day data is available. DeWine said that’s the highest single-day rate since May 25. Rising positivity rates, despite increased testing, indicate the virus may be spreading more quickly.

“This is a higher number – we don’t particularly like that number,” DeWine said.