Monroe County’s number of new COVID-19 cases doubled in the most recent two-week period, according to statistics compiled by the Ohio Department of Health.
The county of 13,654 residents recorded 42 new cases from Jan. 12-25 after posting 20 from Jan. 5-18. That resulted in a rate of 307.6 per 100,000 people in the most recent period, second-highest in the state behind Lawrence County’s 351.5 (209 cases among 59,463 residents). In the previous span, Monroe County’s rate of 146.5 per 100,000 was 32nd out of Ohio’s 88 counties.
Athens County also entered the top 10 this week, with a rate of 223.5 per 100,000 (seventh) on 146 new cases amid a population of 65,327. In the earlier period, Athens had 133 new cases and a rate of 203.6 (12th).
Noble County, population 14,424, ranked 19th with a rate of 145.6 and 21 new cases. Previously, the county posted 37 new cases and its rate of 256.5 was third.
Washington County’s rate declined from 148.6 per 100,000 (30th) to 126.9 (36th), with new cases dropping from 89 to 76 among its 59,911 residents.
Morgan County, population 14,508, recorded one more case, 12, than the previous period, moving its rate from 75.8 (85th) to 82.7 (76th).
Overall, the state average for new cases dipped from 132.7 per 100,000 to 122.6.
All five local counties were classified as low on the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID Community Levels measure, released on Thursday afternoons. The CDC recommends people in areas designated low keep up to date on their vaccinations and get tested if they develop symptoms.
The recommendations for counties classified as medium are for people at greater risk of severe illness to consult with health care providers about precautions. The CDC recommends people wear masks in indoor, public spaces in counties labeled high.
