SUMMIT COUNTY, OHIO—On Tuesday, December 14, 2020, Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro and Summit County Health Commissioner Donna Skoda extended their Stay At Home Health Advisory, originally issued on November 19, 2020, in response to the rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, emergency room visits, and COVID-19 related deaths. The advisory now extends to January 31, 2021.
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 such as seeking medical care, going to the grocery store or pharmacy, picking up food, or receiving deliveries.
“It has never been more challenging to fight through quarantine fatigue and adhere to what we know works best—staying home and staying apart from each other. Conversely, it has never been more important to do just that,” said Executive Shapiro. “Failing to adhere to the best practices advised by public health experts puts not only the individual at risk, but the entire community as well. Please, be safe.”
Residents are strongly advised to avoid traveling in and out of the state, forgo having guests in their homes during holiday gatherings and utilize online communications wherever possible. The advisory encourages employers to move as many employees as possible to working from home. Businesses and local governments are advised to move as many transactions and functions as possible to online, and schools are directed to monitor cases within their district and community.
“We are beginning to see the surge of COVID-19 cases as the result of folks gathering at Thanksgiving. Our hospitals and emergency rooms are overwhelmed” said Health Commissioner Donna Skoda. “As the year winds down and the holidays are upon us, please keep your gatherings limited to those who live in your house. And, as always—stay home, and if you have to go out, wear a mask, stay six feet apart and wash your hands.”
Much like an advisory issued upon an impending weather event, this advisory is based on best practices identified by experts. While not a legally enforceable order, the advisory is issued in hopes of protecting the greatest number of residents in the community. The orders of the Governor and the State Health Director remain in place in Summit County.
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