Lorain County On Verge Of Worst COVID-19 Health Classification

AVON, OH — For the first time in the history of the state's color-coded health advisory system, a county has been classified as "purple," the worst possible classification for a county.

A purple designation means there is "severe" spread of COVID-19 locally. The first purple county in Ohio's history is Franklin County, but Lorain County could soon join Franklin as a purple county.

Lorain, Lake and Montgomery counties are all on the precipice of becoming purple counties. If their current level of cases and other COVID-19 metrics are maintained, those counties will be reclassified next week.

"If trends continue, they could join Franklin as purple next week," Gov. Mike DeWine said Thursday.

Of Ohio's 88 counties, 72 are red or purple for their COVID-19 spread. No counties are classified as "yellow" (the lowest possible threat level).

DeWine said all of Ohio's hospital systems are straining under the influx of COVID-19 patients.

"We are now in the middle of another surge in patients who are hospitalized. As of today, we are up to 3,829 COVID-19 patients who are currently in the hospital, with 943 of those in the ICU. These are the highest patient counts we've had during this pandemic," Gov. Mike DeWine said Thursday.