COLUMBUS, Ohio — On Thursday, Gov. Mike DeWine announced that there are five counties in Ohio that are at Level 3 (red) on the Ohio Health Advisory System as the state continues to battle COVID-19.
Among those counties on the list this week is Portage County in Northeast Ohio.
According to Ohio's Public Advisory System, Level 3 indicates a "very high exposure and spread" of the coronavirus in that community.
DeWine pointed to gatherings at off-campus housing and Greek housing at Kent State University as the main reason why the numbers in Portage County have increased. The county's number of average daily cases has increased from an average of just over five on August 26, to nearly 11 on September 4.
The governor says 51% of the cases reported in Portage County this month have been from people under 29 years old.
In response to these new COVID-19 numbers, Kent State University has announced that starting on Friday September 18 and until further notice, all Kent Campus dining locations will serve takeout only. There will be no dine-in option at any Kent Campus dining location.
In addition, and until further notice, visitors to Kent Campus residence halls will now be limited to Kent State students living on the Kent Campus. Only students living on the Kent Campus may enter the Kent Campus residence halls.
Down the road, Summit County has been taken off of Level 3 status this week. Outbreaks last week were attributed to workplaces and a fraternal club. The county went from Level 3 down to Level 1.
