CLEVELAND — For so many, Labor Day means the unofficial end of summer and a time for many to soak up the last bit of summer sun.
However, doctors and state of Ohio leaders say what we don't want to do this weekend is ruin the start of fall with a large spike in coronavirus cases.
"Our highest census of the pandemic was in mid to late July, and we were concerned [that] part of that was due to the fourth of July activities," Dr. Keith Armitage of University Hospitals and Medical Director of the Roe Green Center for Travel Medicine & Global Health told 3News.
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In the week following the July 4th holiday, Ohio averaged about 1,500 cases a day, according to Ohio Department of Health. White House coronavirus response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx is also stressing caution.
"We all believe that the neighbor couldn't possibly have COVID because they look fine, and we believe that family member that just came back could not have been exposed and couldn't have COVID because they look fine," she said. "What we've learned is that you cannot tell if that person has COVID."
Doctors are asking everyone to think about risk factors associated with activities.
"It's risky being indoors, unmasked with people you don't see day to day, even if they are extended family," Armitage says. "If you are outdoors and you can socially distance and stay more than six feet, it's going to be pretty low-risk. But if it's going to be crowded outdoors, I would definitely recommend wearing a mask."
And what about those outdoors parties?
"Crowded neighborhood invents, including backyard barbecues, are currently one of the primary spreaders of virus," Birx says.
Meanwhile, Gov. Mike DeWine is warning Ohioans that the Labor Day holiday weekend could be a risky time. He says it’s a concern shared by Vice President Mike Pence, whom he spoke to this week.
"There is grave concern about Labor Day coming up," the governor said Tuesday. "As we gather with family and friends, we must remember that whenever there is more activity, we’re going to see more cases."