ASHTABULA COUNTY, Ohio — Ashtabula County’s local health departments have issued a Stay at Home Health Advisory, effectively immediately, in order to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Advisories are voluntary.
The health departments are recommending that all residents stay at home as much as possible due to the recent surge in cases.
As recently as three weeks ago, the county had the lowest COVID-19 case rate in the state, ranked 88th out of 88 counties in Ohio. Now, Ashtabula County is ranked 20th over the last two weeks, the departments said.
In light of the surge, Ashtabula County health departments are recommending residents only leave their home to go to work or school and for essential needs such as medical care, going to the grocery store or pharmacy, picking up food or receiving deliveries.
Residents are asked not to attend social gatherings or events and to avoid traveling in and out of the state.
The departments said that while they know it isn’t popular, residents are recommended to limit holiday celebrations this year to people in their immediate household as traveling, hosting guests indoors and sharing food, utensils and plates all pose “significant COVID-19 disease transmission risks.”
Residents are told to continue wearing face masks, social distancing and frequently washing their hands.
The advisory will remain in effect until Dec. 17.
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