UPDATE | Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties “red” on state map

COLUMBUS — The three counties that make up the Mahoning Valley are now "red" in the state's coronavirus alert system.

Both Mahoning and Trumbull counties have been at Level 3 for several weeks; Columbiana County joined them this week.

All three counties meet the indicator for new cases for capita. In the last two weeks:

• Mahoning County reported 1,285 new cases or 561.91 cases per 100,000 people
• Trumbull County reported 1,140 new cases or 575.83 cases per 100,000 people
• Columbiana County reported 523 new cases or 513.33 cases per 100,000 people

For the first time since the map was released, Franklin County moved to "Level 4" or purple.

Columbiana County meets four of the state's seven risk indicators, including: the number of new cases per capita; a sustained increase in new cases; the proportion of cases not in a group setting such as a long-term care or correctional facility; and a sustained increase in emergency room visits.

The county is also considered to have a high incidence of coronavirus spread, under CDC guidelines, meaning it has more than 100 new cases per 100,000 people in the last two weeks.

"The color change on the Public Health Advisory System that we witnessed today for Columbiana County should be seen as a call to action," Columbiana County Health Commissioner Wesley Vins is quoted in a Thursday afternoon release. "As the holidays approach, we must utilize all of the tools that we have to stop the spread of this disease. This means making hard choices like staying home instead of attending an event, and if you must go out consistently, wear your mask in public.

"Together, we can get through this."

This story was originally published November 19, 2020 at 2:32 PM with the headline "UPDATE | Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties “red” on state map."