COVID-19 cases rose in Greene County between June 2 and 14, as cases in Ohio overall fell. The county is one of five in SW Ohio in which cases are rising.
‘Worrisome’ COVID-19 rise in Greene County and SW Ohio
- Published: June 18, 2020
Greene County is one of five counties in southwest Ohio that have seen COVID-19 cases rise in recent weeks, Gov. Mike DeWine announced during his June 18 press briefing.
According to state data, cases in Greene County increased between June 2 and 14, a time period in which cases overall in Ohio have been trending downward. The other SW Ohio counties that saw case increases during the first half of June are Clark, Montgomery, Warren and Hamilton counties.
DeWine noted that “the trendlines are worrisome” in these five counties. He also identified specific zip codes that are driving case increases in each of the counties. In Greene County, the zip codes are 45324 and 45385, which correspond to Fairborn and Xenia.
In response to the recent trends, DeWine said Ohio is moving more National Guard members into SW Ohio to assist with setting up testing locations in the area. Several pop-up testing sites have been announced in our region, with more to be announced soon.
On Wednesday, June 24, there will be a pop-up testing site at Greene County Health Center at 360 Wilson Dr. in Xenia. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Anyone can get tested, including those without symptoms and those without underlying medical conditions. There is no cost to be tested at a pop-up testing site.
DeWine encouraged people living within the identified zip codes to get tested as one measure to limit further spread of the virus.
It is not entirely clear what is driving case increases in SW Ohio, DeWine said in response to a question from a reporter. He mentioned a visiting minister going to several different churches in the area, as well as workplace hot spots such as the Dole factory in Springfield, where at least 200 workers have tested positive for the virus. Community spread is also a factor, in which people don’t know how they came into contact with the virus.
“The answers are all over the place,” DeWine said.
At a June 11 briefing, DeWine identified the Dayton region as having the highest R0 factor in Ohio, meaning the rate of spread was greatest in our area. However, in a subsequent briefing on June 16, the reported R0 factor for the Dayton region had decreased, and the area was no longer leading the state in rate of spread.
Despite the recent case increases, Greene County case counts are low relative to the four other counties identified, and near the middle of Ohio counties overall based on case counts. As of June 18, Greene County is reporting 156 confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases, six deaths and 35 hospitalizations. By contrast, Clark County is reporting 568 cases, 8 deaths and 53 hospitalizations.
DeWine called the rise of COVID-19 cases in SW Ohio a “stark reminder that the virus is very much still with us.” However, in response to a question from a reporter, he said he was unlikely to scale back reopening in SW Ohio based on the trends. Instead, Ohio will be giving people information about the virus’ spread and expanding testing in the area, DeWine said.
5 Responses to “‘Worrisome’ COVID-19 rise in Greene County and SW Ohio”
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Did the Dole plant workers in Springfield even fully understand the risks and requirements for safety? Did they have adequate interpreters for any/all those employees who don’t speak English well? ? ?
I pray to God those infected will all recover. (Very sad situation there)
I’m predicting lawsuits for areas that don’t instate protective measures to guard vulnerable persons when they know of outbreaks in their areas and/or the potential for outbreaks because of ergonomics or other proven factors that contribute to the spread of the virus. Also, you cannot knowingly discriminate against vulnerable persons by allowing hordes to infiltrate shopping areas putting others at risk. It isn’t practical to merely tell people to stay home if you’re vulnerable. People have essential needs, some of those are for food and they need to be protected. Business owners and others are not being smart by flaunting their bare faces and disregarding science. (Their wallet will tell them all about it later on down the road.)
“It’s sad that people are too selfish to but on a mask to keep others safe even after so many people have died.”
Sorry for the typo. That should read “PUT on a mask.” : )
“PUT A MASK ON” while shopping in the village business district. It is required. Hoping other communities experiencing “worrisome” virus increases follow your lead.
THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/yellow-springs-first-ohio-community-to-require-masks-by-law/ar-BB15GcVS
These 200 plus workers at Dole– Do they have symptoms? Was the spread from within the workplace or what? If they presented no symptoms, that certainly would be illustrative of how asymptomatic carriers can spread the virus to others. People don’t live in a bubble and asymptomatic carriers can make vulnerable people sick. I didn’t see many masks in YS the other day while driving through, but saw far fewer of them in Springfield. It’s sad that people are too selfish to but on a mask to keep others safe even after so many people have died.