PICKAWAY – Pickaway County experienced a minor spike in cases in the last month, but now cases seem to be dropping off quickly just before kids go back to school.
Cases dropped today August 13, 2020 to around 13 active cases in the county a low that the county has not seen in over 30 days. In June average cases were in the single digits at 7 active cases, a spike that was caused by local spread and more testing according to Pickaway health, caused active cases rise into the 40s all month long in July and may have spurred the cancellation of October events.
This new low couldn’t happen at a better time as Pickaway schools are preparing to bring kids back to school for two days a week in a precautionary method to limit the possible spread of COVID-19.
“I have every confidence that Ohio’s schools will do everything they can to keep children safe, but any spread happening in the broader community will, without a doubt, be reflected in Ohio’s classrooms,” said Governor DeWine. “If we want our kids to go to school in person, to play sports, to be in extracurricular activities – it’s up to all of us to cut down the spread in our communities.”
According to information gathered by the Ohio Department of Education, 325 public school districts in Ohio are planning to return to school full-time which equates to approximately 590,000 students. A total of 55 districts representing approximately 398,000 public school students will begin the school year remotely. Approximately 380,000 students in 154 public school districts will start the school year with a hybrid of online and in-person learning. Information on 78 public school distracts was not readily available.
Governor DeWine shared updated data on the percentage of cases in Ohio by age group. The data shows a significant increase in positive cases among younger adults over the summer, particularly in the age range of 20-29.
Pickaway County Health reported that, “as of 3:00 p.m. today, Thursday, August 13, 2020 there is total of 99,856 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ohio and 3,481 deaths. Currently there are 2,368 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in Pickaway County, 2,013 being inmates, leaving 355 local residents who have tested positive. There are 13 active local resident cases with 1 hospitalized. There are a total of 42 deaths, 37 being inmates and 5 community deaths.”
