SUMMIT COUNTY, OHIO—On Thursday, November 19, 2020, Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro and Summit County Health Commissioner Donna Skoda issued a Stay At Home Health Advisory in response to a rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 cases (Click here for the COVID-19 Stay at Home Health Advisory).
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 the 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.
“We are quickly approaching a tipping point in the county and the state. We must take collective action beginning today. If we do not, we are putting the lives of our friends, family and neighbors at risk and threatening the ability of our hospitals to provide care to patients,” said Executive Shapiro. “We have all made immense sacrifices this year. We all are feeling exhausted, but I am asking the residents of Summit County to continue to prioritize the health and safety of our community.”
Residents are strongly advised to avoid traveling in and out of the state, forgo having guests in their homes during the upcoming holiday season 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 seeing an alarming trend in both the number of cases and the positivity rate of COVID-19 in Summit County. We have to change our behaviors and routines to slow the spread of this disease in our community,” said Health Commissioner Donna Skoda. “Please stay home as much as possible. If you have to leave your home, wear a mask and distance from others.”
This advisory will remain in place through December 16, 2020, unless an additional advisory is issued.