Allen and Union Among Counties Upgraded to Red Alert Level 3

New public health data has led the Ohio Department of Health to designate 19 counties as being in a Red Alert Level 3 Public Emergency as defined by the Ohio Public Health Advisory System.

Upgraded to level 3 on Thursday in our region were Allen and Union Counties.

People in those counties will be required to wear masks in public beginning at 6 this evening.

Marion and Wyandot Counties are at Orange Alert Level 2, which means there is increased exposure and spread. Exercise a high degree of caution.

Hardin, Auglaize, Hancock and Logan Counties remain at Yellow Alert Level 1.

Detailed information on each Red Alert Level 3 county can be found here: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/public-health-advisory-system/

The system was developed to provide local health departments, community leaders, and the public with data and information on the severity of the COVID-19 spread in the counties in which they live.

The system consists of four levels with specific risk-level guidelines: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/OPHASM/COVID-19-Risk-Level-Guidelines-GP.pdf

Each level is calculated with data gathered on seven public health indicators: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/OPHASM/Summary-Alert-Indicators.pdf