Madison County OPHAS Level 4 Watch List

 

Public Information Release 
Madison County OPHAS Level 4 Watch List 
December 3, 2020 

Governor DeWine announced Madison County is on the “Watch List” for Level 4 (purple) for the Ohio Public Health Advisory System (OPHAS). The OPHAS is a color-coded approach created by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) to inform Ohioans about the risks to personal health, community health, and the risks to our healthcare infrastructure associated with COVID-19. The system is built on seven data indicators that help describe the spread of COVID-19 and the pace at which a county is nearing both healthcare and public health system limits. A county that meets six of seven indicators for one week is placed on a “Watch List.” When a county reaches Level 4 (purple), it means it has met at least six of seven indicators for at least two consecutive weeks. 

The Level 4 risk designation, assigned and updated by ODH every Thursday, means that there is severe exposure risk to and uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 in Madison County. State guidance for this risk level includes following all state and local orders, staying at home as much as possible, and only leaving home for work, essential supplies, and necessary services. 

According to the state’s profile of Madison County for the past two weeks, 335 COVID-19 cases have been newly diagnosed equating to 748 cases per 100,000 residents. Madison has also seen five straight days where new cases have increased each day with most new cases in the general public (not in prisons or long-term care facilities). Also increasing for at least five days are: Emergency Department visits for COVID-19 illness, residents making COVID-19 outpatient healthcare visits, and new COVID-19 hospital admissions. For seven straight days Intensive Care Units (ICU) that serve Madison County have been more than 80% full with over 20% of ICU admissions being COVID-19 patients.

 In addition to all state orders and guidance, the following local orders and advisories remain in effect for Madison County until January 1, 2021 unless otherwise extended: 

1. Community festivals, events, and gatherings are ordered suspended. 

2. Schools are advised to close their buildings and use virtual learning options.

3. School/community sports and extracurriculars are advised to be suspended. 

4. Businesses and government offices are advised to allow staff to work from home and implement teleworking and video conferencing policies wherever practical. Community, governmental, social, and similar organizational meetings are advised to be held virtually. 

5. Churches and houses of worship are advised not to meet in person and to use online or “drivein” options. 

6. Residents are advised to continue social distancing, wear a face covering when around other people, and not to gather with people who are not in your own household.