COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Health has added six more counties to Red Alert Level 3, indicating an increased spread of the coronavirus: Summit, Pickaway, Lorain, Clermont, Wood and Fairfield.
That's now 12 counties in total in Level 3 compared to the seven identified two days ago. At Thursday's briefing, Gov. Mike DeWine said 18 counties went from Level 1 to Level 2 in the last 48 hours. Huron County was the only one to drop from a Level 3 to a Level 2.
Three counties are on the grim track to Level 4, which is the worst: Cuyahoga, Butler and Hamilton.
All Level 3 areas will be under a mask mandate by Friday night.
Masks will be required in:
- Any indoor location, not including residences
- Public transit or ride-sharing vehicles
- Outdoor spaces where 6-foot distancing isn't possible
DeWine released a an updated map of Ohio color-coding each county to show the spread of COVID-19.
DeWine said the mask order will stay in effect until the counties exit out of level 3 or 4.
DeWine explained that Ohioans need to wear masks and continue to social distance if the economy is going to stay up and running. After discussing that, he said, "I don't know what to say."
ODH reported more than 1,000 COVID-19 total cases between Wednesday and Thursday, from 60,181 to 61,331. The state also documented 12 more deaths since Wednesday, totaling 2,749.
This will be updated as soon as more information becomes available.