Two area counties saw their new COVID-19 case rates decrease, while three recorded slight increases, according to the latest data from the Ohio Department of Health.
Morgan County remained in the top five of Ohio’s 88 counties in terms of new cases per 100,000 people over a two-week period, but the actual number of cases from Oct. 27 to Nov. 9 was 39. From Oct. 20 to Nov. 2, the county of 14,508 residents reported 67 new cases.
The per-100,000 people rate dropped from 461.8, second in the state, to 268.8, fifth. The statewide average dipped from 182 per 100,000 to 174.8.
Washington County, population 59,911, saw its reported new cases drop from 99 to 71 and its rate from 52nd in the state (165.2 per 100,000) to 75th (118.5).
Athens County jumped from 48th (174.5 per 100,000) to 30th (186.8), which translated to seven more cases (122 versus 114) among its 65,327 residents.
Monroe and Noble counties remained near the bottom of the rankings. Monroe, population 13,654, rose from 85th (95.2 per 100,000) to 76th (117.2), as actual new cases increased from 13 to 16.
Among Noble County’s 14,424 residents, there were 15 new cases, one more than the previous two-week period. The rate went from 97.1 per 100,000 to 104, though the rank dipped from fifth lowest to fourth.
Morgan County was ranked “medium” this week on the COVID Community Levels released on Thursdays by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC recommends people in those counties at greater risk of significant illness from COVID consult with their health care provider about precautions such as masking.
The week before, Morgan was classified as “high,” in which the CDC advises masking in indoor public spaces.
The levels are based on new COVID cases per 100,000 people and hospitalization statistics in the previous seven days.
Washington County remained at medium this week, while Noble County joined Athens and Monroe on the low ranking, in which the CDC recommends keeping up to date on vaccinations and getting tested if COVID symptoms develop. Noble was medium last week.
