The move to Level 3: Public Health Emergency (RED) for Athens County is based on the following:

INDICATORS TRIGGERED:

• New cases per capita
• Non-congregate cases
• Emergency room visits
• Outpatient visits
• Increase in new cases
• Hospital admissions

During the past 14 days, 147 COVID-19 cases have been identified, which means the county exceeds the ”high incidence” category as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 73% of Athens County’s total cases have been during the past two weeks. Since June 23, Athens County’s COVID-19 average daily cases increased from nearly 1 case to 17 cases by July 9. Due to clinical and reporting lags, these numbers may continue to grow for this reporting period. Athens County is also seeing an increase in the number of people seeking medical care due to COVID-19. From June 23 to July 3, visits for COVID-19 to the emergency department grew from an average of 0.5 visits per day to 3. Significantly more people are also visiting their doctors and being diagnosed with COVID-19. Between June 23 and July 13, average outpatient visits grew from 7 to 52 visits per day. Four out of five cases in Athens County are people younger than 30 and are linked to bars and restaurants.

See the full statistical breakdown at – https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/OPHASM/profiles/athens.pdf

Ohio Public Health Advisory System Risk Level 3 “RED” – Very high exposure and spread is occurring in Athens County. Limit activities as much as possible. Follow all current health orders.

Over 60% of Ohioans are considered high-risk based on CDC guidance. High-risk individuals are at an increased risk of severe illness and should take every precaution to guard against contracting COVID-19, including following higher risk level guidance outlined below. Consult a doctor about your risk.

• Conduct a daily health/symptom self-evaluation and stay at home if symptomatic.
• Maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet from non-household members.
• Wear face coverings in public, especially when social distancing is difficult to maintain.
• Increase caution when interacting with others not practicing social distancing or wearing face covers.
• Avoid traveling to high-risk areas.
• Follow good hygiene standards, including:
  • Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Use hand sanitizer frequently.
  • Avoid touching your face.
  • Cover coughs or sneezes (e.g., into a tissue, or elbow).
• Symptom self-evaluation monitoring.
• Avoid contact with anyone who is considered high-risk.
• High-risk individuals should take extra care to follow precautions.
• Decrease in-person interactions outside household.
• Seek medical care as needed, but limit or avoid unnecessary visits to hospitals, nursing homes, and residential care facilities to see others as much as possible.
• Decrease in-person interactions with others.
• Consider necessary travel only.
• Limit attending gatherings of any number.

If a structure is vacant and unfit for human habitation, occupancy or use and is not in danger of structural collapse, the City Manager may post a placard of condemnation on the premises and may order the structure closed up so it will not be an attractive nuisance.  Upon failure of the owner to close up the premises within the time specified in the order, the City Manager shall cause it to be closed through any available public agency or by contract, or arrangement by private persons, and the cost thereof shall be charged against the real estate upon which the structure is located and shall be a lien against such real estate.

No structure which has been condemned and placarded as unfit for human habitation or use shall again be used until written approval has been secured from the City Manager.

Any person receiving written notice from the City Manager or his agent of alleged deficiencies on their property may, within thirty (30) days following the date of such notice, submit a written appeal to the City Council.  Such appeal shall state the location of the property and the date of the notice of violations. The appellant must state the reasons, hardship or conditions upon which the appeal is made. The City Council shall meet to discuss the matter within thirty (30) days after the receipt of the written appeal. Council decisions on the matter shall be by motion and vote and shall be delivered in writing to the appellant and the City Manager.