Greene County Elevated To Level 3 By Ohio Department of Health
GREENE COUNTY, OH – Today, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) announced that Greene County has
been elevated to Level Three ("Red") status on the Ohio Public Health Advisory System. Greene County Public
Health (GCPH) has been tracking an increase in COVID-19 cases in the county over the past month.
These alert levels are based off new cases per capita (184.7 per 100,000 residents), proportion of cases not in a
congregate setting, sustained increase in outpatient visits (11.3 average visits on 9/27 to 22.0 average visits on
10/12), sustained increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations (0.7 average admissions on 10/7 to 1.9 on 10/13).
A Level Three ("Red") classification means there is severe exposure and spread in the county. Residents
should continue to follow all standard precautions and health orders.
As with all previous emergencies, GCPH has been responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Several sectors of
the community have opened successfully and remain open. State and local officials are continuously monitoring
the course of disease transmission and providing guidance to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Through
monitoring and increased testing, officials can identify trends and make recommendations. This will help keep
more Ohioans and residents in Greene County safe and healthy.
Greene County Health Commissioner, Melissa Howell says, "GCPH was notified that Greene County would
increase to Level Three ("Red") in the Ohio Public Health Alert System earlier today. We have been tracking an
increase in cases over the past several weeks among the general public as well as at universities and nursing
homes, and we have been working to continue our contact tracing efforts to assist with controlling the spread of
the virus in the county. All residents should maintain a healthy respect for Sars Co-V 2. If you have become
complacent about social distancing, handwashing and wearing a mask, or lulled into a false sense of security,
now is the time to take action to protect you, your family and the community. In addition to the recommended
protocols, we strongly encourage everyone ages 6 months and older to get this year’s flu vaccine".
To control the spread of the virus within Greene County, Health Commissioner Howell recommends the
following evidence-based guidance and recommended actions:
• Please remember when online to get the facts on COVID-19 from reputable sources including the CDC,
the Ohio Department of Health and your local public health agency.
• The public is urged to stay home when they are sick (except to seek medical care), wear a face covering,
cover coughs and sneezes, wash hands frequently, avoid close contact with others and avoid crowds.
Greene County Public Health
• The elderly and those with weakened immune systems should stay at home as much as possible.
• All businesses and operations are required to follow social distancing and face covering requirements set
forth by the Ohio Department of Health Director’s Order.
• All employees must wear a face covering when not able to maintain a 6’ social distance, including
serving customers at check-out and during customer service interactions. Employee face coverings are
not required in a private office when alone.
• By order, all individuals in Greene County must wear a face covering in public both indoors and
outdoors when they are unable to maintain a social distance. Exceptions include when in your own
residence and when it is not medically advisable to do so.
• Employers should explore ways for employees to work at home or explore shift rotations.
• Enhanced COVID-19 cleaning protocols using EPA approved products should be used by businesses
and building management, with added attention to high touch surfaces.
• The public should not attend large social events or gatherings.
• Events designed to bring people together should not take place. Examples of events that should not be
held, include, but are not limited to; festivals, block parties, group picnics, art shows, outdoor concerts,
tastes of the city, parades, fireworks, food truck rallies, conferences / conventions, car shows, running
races / walks, spectator sports.
• Churches are encouraged to provide in-vehicle and / or online services.
• K-12 schools are required to follow the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Department of
Education’s COVID-19 health and prevention guidance.
• Personal travel should be limited. If you must travel:
o travel alone or only with your consistent quarantine partner(s) and,
o avoid current national COVID-19 hot spots.
For more information on COVID-19, visit GCPH’s COVID-19 page at healthalert.gcph.info/COVID19, or call ODH’s call center at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH or visit www.coronavirus.ohio.gov.
Celebrating 100 years of Greene County Public Health…
Your Accredited and Trusted Local Public Health Authority Since 1920
