Lorain County Updates

Lorain County saw 1,191 new COVID-19 cases between Nov. 12 and Nov. 19 — 1,162 of which were classified as community spread. A total 5,022 cases have been recorded in Lorain County, meaning that more than a fifth of all known cases have occurred over the past week, according to Lorain County Public Health’s data. 

The Ohio Public Health Advisory System has designated Lorain as a Red Alert Level 3 since Oct. 22, which signifies very high exposure and rapid spread. The Ohio Department of Health recommends that residents in Level 3 areas limit activities as much as possible. Yesterday, Lorain County was added to the Purple Alert Level 4 watch list. Level 4 describes severe virus exposure and spread, and the ODH recommends that residents in designated Level 4 areas only leave home for supplies and services. If current trends continue, Lorain County could officially shift purple this coming week.

State-Wide Updates

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine instituted a statewide 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew, which began yesterday and will be in effect for 21 days, until Dec. 10. Last Friday, DeWine signed an order to enforce mask-wearing in all retail locations. 

DeWine also announced new revisions to the health order to limit mass gatherings this past Monday, restricting activities at wedding receptions, funeral repasts, and other events at banquet facilities to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

“Despite the health order that limited mass gatherings to 10 people that was signed in April remaining in effect, we have seen rampant spread of the virus as a result of banquets, wedding receptions, and social gatherings following funerals,” DeWine said. “We have seen great tragedy associated with such events. It’s not the ceremonies causing the problem — it’s the party afterward.”  

DeWine also provided details on Ohio’s vaccine prepositioning plan. The ODH has identified 10 sites that will distribute the vaccine to those who are most at risk — including those who work in nursing homes and other congregate-care facilities, high-risk health care workers, and first responders. Lorain County’s two designated hospitals are the Cleveland Clinic Main Campus and MetroHealth Main Campus Medical Center. 

More information is available through ODH and LCPH, whose case numbers are updated every weekday at 2 p.m.

Oberlin College & Conservatory Updates

Oberlin College tests a quarter of all students, faculty, and staff every week. Between Nov. 10 and Nov. 16, one person tested positive out of a pool of 1,172 tests — 0.09 percent positivity. As of last Tuesday, the College had completed a cumulative total of 10,008 tests and found 22 positive cases, for an overall rate of 0.22 percent.