COVID-19 Alert - January 28

By the Numbers:

• Individuals Tested: 8,921,429

• Individuals Vaccinated (Started): 716,017

• Total Cases: 883,716

• Case Increase in Last 24-Hour Period: 5,432

• 21 Day Reported Case Average: 6,221

• Total Deaths: 11,006

• Deaths Reported in Last 24-Hour Period: 75

• 21 Day Reported Death Average: 74

• Total Hospitalizations: 45,786

• Hospitalization Increase in Last 24-Hour Period: 256

• 21 Day Reported Hospitalizations Average: 253

• Total ICU Admissions: 6,644

• ICU Admissions Increase in Last 24-Hour Period: 23

• 21 Day Reported ICU Admissions Average: 26

County-by-County Update:

• This week's Ohio Public Health Advisory System map shows little change. Hamilton County is no longer listed as a Level 4 (Purple) Public Emergency, but the rest of the state remains the same as last week. A county-by-county breakdown outlining the presence of COVID-19 in all of Ohio's 88 counties can be found on the Ohio Public Health Advisory System's website.

Curfew Pushed Back to 11 p.m. Beginning Today:

• Ohio Department of Health Director Stephanie McCloud signed a health order pushing back the statewide curfew one hour, changing the start time of the curfew to 11 p.m.

  • The new hours begin January 28, 2021 at 12:01 p.m. and lasts through February 11, 2021, at 12:01 p.m. The change is being made because Ohio hospitalizations for COVID-19 have remained below 3500 for seven consecutive days.

• Specifics of the Order include:

  • Individuals within the state must stay at a place of residence during the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. except for obtaining necessary food, medical care, or social services or providing care for others.

    • This order doesn’t apply to those that are homeless. Individuals whose residences are unsafe or become unsafe, such as victims of domestic violence, are encouraged to leave their homes and stay at a safe, alternative location.

    • The order does not apply to religious observances and First Amendment protected speech including activity by the media.

  • The order permits travel into or out of the state and permits travel required by law enforcement or court order, including to transport children according to a custody agreement, or to obtain fuel.

  • Individuals are permitted to leave a place of residence during the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. for the following essential activities:

    • Engaging in activities essential to their health and safety or the health and safety of those in their households or people who are unable to or should not leave their homes, including pets. Activities can include but are not limited to seeking emergency services, obtaining medical supplies or medication, or visiting a health care professional including hospitals, emergency departments, urgent care clinics, and pharmacies.

    • To obtain necessary services or supplies for themselves and their family or members of their household who are unable or should not leave their home, to deliver those services or supplies to others. Examples of those include but are not limited to, obtaining groceries and food. Food and beverages may be obtained only for consumption off-premises, through such means as delivery, drive-through, curbside pickup and carryout.

    • To obtain necessary social services.

    • To go to work, including volunteer work.

    • To take care of or transport a family member, friend, or pet in their household or another household.

    • To perform or obtain government services.

K – 12 Vaccinations:

• Every public school district in the state - except for one - has agreed to resume in-person schooling by March 1 which was a requirement for staff to have early access to the vaccine.

• K-12 schools whose staff can be vaccinated next week have been notified. All other schools will be contacted tomorrow with information on when their K-12 staff will be permitted to receive a vaccine.

• More details on Ohio's K-12 vaccination process will also be released on Friday. The plan ensures that the maximum number of people can be vaccinated in the shortest amount of time. The plan also makes the process as simple as possible for staff to be vaccinated and is organized to allow most K-12 staff in a county to be vaccinated within seven days of their assigned vaccination start date.

Pandemic Impacts on K – 12 Students:

• Ohio has prioritized getting K-12 students back in schools by March 1 because many adolescents’ social-emotional and mental well-being has been impacted by the pandemic.

• According to the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the change of routine and the constant uncertainty of the pandemic produces anxiety, and the disconnection from learning, emotional, and social supports can lead to depression. In addition, missed significant life events like graduations, proms, art performances, science competitions, sports, and more can result in grief.

• Families and friends should reach out for help if a young person is:

  • talking about feeling hopeless;

  • worrying about being a burden;

  • feeling like there’s no reason to live;

  • using drugs, alcohol or engaging in other risky behaviors;

  • struggling with school;

  • disconnecting from family and friends.

• Trained counselors with Ohio's CareLine are available 24/7 at 1-800-720-9616. They can help with a crisis, provide guidance, and connect callers to help in the community.