Lorain County Updates

In the last week between Feb. 11 and Feb. 18, Lorain County had 286 new COVID-19 cases, 24 new hospitalizations, and two new deaths. This number has been declining in the past few weeks; last week had 383 new COVID-19 cases, and the week before had 439 new cases.

The county has received 16,055 vaccine doses, and, as of Friday, Feb. 19, had administered 10,332 first vaccine doses. 

The Ohio Department of Health continues to mark Lorain County at “Red Alert Level Three” out of a public emergency scale of four  for “very high exposure and spread.” Level Three counties are advised to limit activities as much as possible. 

Statewide Updates

ODH reports 8,335 new statewide COVID-19 cases in the last week, with hospitalizations increasing by 291 and the reported death count rising by 37. 

This week, Ohioans under the age of 65 with pre-existing health conditions became eligible for vaccination. 

As of Feb. 18, 11 percent of Ohio residents have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Currently, the vaccine is only available to those above age 65, certain frontline workers like healthcare staff and teachers, and those with severe congenital or developmental disorders. 

The state received 214,525 doses of the vaccine this week, and is expecting 223,025 doses in the following week. Many of these doses will be shipped directly to retail pharmacies like Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, and Kroger, which should help relieve bottlenecks in the vaccine appointment process.

More information on COVID-19 in Ohio is available through the ODH and LCPH websites, where case numbers are updated every weekday at 2 p.m.

Oberlin College Updates

Three weeks into the semester, Oberlin College’s confirmed cases remain low. Of the 786 tests administered during the first week of classes, there were only three new positives for a 0.38 percent positivity rate.  

Last week, the College released a COVID-19 vaccine interest survey. Although the College will not require students, faculty, and staff to be vaccinated, it is currently trying to determine interest to prepare for vaccination rollout in the spring.