With advisory map update, 60 percent of Ohioans are now required to wear masks
COLUMBUS — As of today at 6 p.m., 60 percent of the population of Ohio will be under a mandatory mask mandate, Gov. Mike DeWine announced Thursday during the state coronavirus briefing.
During the briefing, DeWine updated the state's public health advisory system, bringing the number of counties in Level 3 to 19. As DeWine announced last week, residents of counties in Level 3 are required to wear masks in public.
The following counties are currently labeled red: Allen, Athens, Butler, Clermont, Cuyahoga, Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Hamilton, Licking, Lorain, Lucas, Montgomery, Pickaway, Richmond, Scioto, Summit, Union and Wood counties.
Athens County is at risk of moving to Level 4 (purple); and central Ohio is "red hot," DeWine said.
Trumbull County, which was in Level 3 for the past two weeks has been downgraded to Level 2, but, DeWine said, "We certainly hope people in Trumbull County will continue to wear masks."
Recent outbreaks have been attributed to block parties, bars, places of worship and travel to hotspots like Florida.
DeWine was hopeful after begging Ohioans to wear masks Wednesday night that the culture is shifting regarding mask-wearing. On Thursday, he praised Walmart and Kroger for requiring customers to wear masks in their stores.
"People are beginning to understand the gravity of the situation," DeWine said. "We don't want to be Florida in two weeks."
When asked if he would institute a state-wide mask requirement or county lockdowns if numbers continue to surge, DeWine said, "We may do that. I thought I would try one more time with an address in the evening."
When it comes to masks, people would rather be asked than told, he added.
DeWine also announced Thursday the Ohio Liquor Control Commission will have hearings in early August to identify bars violating coronavirus safety guidelines.
Per the state's guidelines, employees are required to wear masks and regularly wash hands. Restaurants must also provide enough space between tables and bar stools.
"Most bar owners are doing a good job, but we do have bar owners out there who are not doing a good job," DeWine said.
Other coronavirus news:
• According to the latest figures Thursday from the Ohio Department of Health, the state is reporting 66,540 confirmed cases of the coronavirus. There have been 2,027 confirmed cases in Mahoning County; 1,103 in Trumbull County; and 1,418 in Columbiana County. Thursday was the ninth day in a row that the state reported at least 1,000 new coronavirus cases.
• Statewide, there have been 2,849 confirmed deaths, including 240 in Mahoning County; 83 in Trumbull; and 60 in Columbiana. Mahoning County's 240 reported COVID-19 deaths on Thursday was fourth among Ohio's 88 counties; Franklin County had the most with 456.
• In nearby counties: Stark, 1,294 cases and 117 deaths; Portage, 525 cases and 59 deaths; and Ashtabula, 460 cases and 44 deaths.
• Mahoning County Public Health disputed the claim that a resident was counted multiple times in the county's positive coronavirus case tally. A report on WKBN.com was headlined: "Mahoning County COVID-19 case count at center of 'double counts' report on Fox News."
• According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health on Thursday, there are 98,446 COVID-19 cases in the state which have led to 6,973 deaths. The state said the recovery rate is 76 percent. There have been 208 cases in Mercer County and 6 deaths; 209 cases in Lawrence County and 9 deaths.
• Pennsylvania officials handed down new restrictions for bars and restaurants statewide as COVID-19 cases surge, again. The new rules limit indoor capacity to 25 percent, ban bar seating and only allow alcohol sales in conjunction with food service. The Department of Health has reported more than 800 new cases during six of the last eight days.
• Four months into the COVID-19 pandemic, an additional 1.3 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Continued claims of workers who filed claims at least two weeks in a row were at 17.3 million for the week ending July 4.
• The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services reported Thursday that 35,422 Ohioans filed initial jobless claims for the week ending July 11, up slightly from 33,483 initial claims the week before.
• For the fifth-consecutive year, Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley has earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, the leading charity evaluator in the United States. The 4-star rating is Charity Navigator's highest rating.
• The Mahoning-Youngstown Community Action Program and Youngstown City Health District will offer drive-thru and walk-up COVID-19 testing from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at MYCAP on Fifth Avenue and Wick Park. The Ohio National Guard will administer tests, which anyone can get at no cost. Participants do not have to have symptoms to be tested, and preregistration is not required.
• The Next Steps Coalition has scheduled a second town hall meeting on "Policing in the Valley" for July 28 at 6 p.m. The 90-minute event will be livestreamed and individuals can submit questions to police officials online.
This story was originally published July 17, 2020 at 3:52 AM with the headline "With advisory map update, 60 percent of Ohioans are now required to wear masks."