Summit, Portage, Medina and Stark counties remained purple, the most severe level, for the second week on the state s coronavirus advisory map released Thursday.
The only purple counties in Ohio in the state s Public Health Advisory System are all in the Northeast Ohio area. The four local counties, along with Richland County, turned purple (Level 4) last week.
Montgomery, Lorain and Lake counties, which had been purple, dropped to red Thursday. Franklin County has also previously dropped from purple to red.
Ashland and Guernsey counties were moved to the watch list Thursday. That means they could turn purple next week.
There are only five orange (Level 2) counties in the state, down from eight last week, mostly in the southeast corner of the state. Except for the purple counties, the rest of Ohio s 88 counties are red. There have been no yellow (Level 1) counties for weeks.
Skiers and riders are seen waiting in line on opening day Nov. 6 at Keystone Resort. Keystone and Breckenridge Ski Resort officials recently asked the county to eliminate their capacity limits. County officials declined but said they would revisit the issue.
Photo by Liz Copan / Studio Copan
On Tuesday morning, Vail Resorts properties in Summit County, including Breckenridge Ski Resort and Keystone Resort, posted on social media that they had submitted a request to the Summit County Public Health Department to remove capacity restrictions at ski areas.
The social media posts indicated that the reduced capacities mandated by Summit County government restrict the resorts more than their state-approved winter operating plans.
130-plus restaurants to reopen indoor dining in Colorado county despite level red restrictions outtherecolorado.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from outtherecolorado.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
COVID-19 in Ohio: Summit County extends stay at home advisory
Summit County has extended a stay at home health advisory urging residents to stay home through January due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The advisory, issued Nov. 19, was set to expire Wednesday, Dec. 16. It was announced Monday that it s been extended to Jan. 31.
The advisory now extends through a holiday season health officials fear could lead to another surge in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths if people host large, indoor family gatherings.
The advisory urges all residents to stay at home to the greatest extent possible due to the rise of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Summit County. Residents should only leave home to go to work or school or for essential needs, like seeking medical care, going to the grocery store or pharmacy, picking up food or receiving deliveries.
KSU Student Media
KSU freshman Thomas Jahnke is tested for COVID-19 in October at the KSU Center for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement. People who don t have symptoms are finding it difficult right now to get a COVID-19 test.
As coronavirus case numbers continue to surge, our OH Really? team has received a number of questions about testing: when, where, and how to get a COVID-19 test. Summit County Public Health Commissioner Donna Skoda weighs in on what to do if you think you’ve been exposed but do not have symptoms.
DONNA SKODA: First off, if you have been exposed and you know you have, you should immediately start to quarantine on your own and stay away from other people, your family members, or whomever else you may live with.