In this next phase of the pandemic, saving lives and protecting Ohioans remain our priority. We cannot move backward. Ohioans have come too far in this fight to cede ground now to #COVID19. Our best defense moving forward is to be on the offense.
That means that this next phase is not about hunkering down, but about learning to live with the virus and to keep our economy open and moving -- all while taking active measures to slow the spread of this disease until we have a vaccine or other effective treatments.
Going forward, we will maintain vital, necessary baseline orders to control the spread of the virus, while implementing a new warning system to provide local health depts and community leaders data and info to help combat flare-ups as they occur in different parts of the state.
We know that the number of #COVID19 cases is rising. We’ve seen them climb over the last three weeks. Given this concerning trend, these numbers are likely to grow, as we expect more data to flow to the @OHdeptofhealth. 
Our #COVID19 experts say there’s likely community spread in every Ohio county. In fact, there are only a few counties in the state that have not reported cases in the past two weeks.
However, that does not necessarily mean they don’t have any cases, because as we know, the number of people who are not yet showing symptoms or may show only mild symptoms but don’t get tested, is significant.
Local health departments are mapping #COVID19 transmission. They’ve reported to the @OHdeptofhealth information about how COVID-19 is spreading. It's spreading at large family gatherings, protests, at the workplace, bars, restaurants, tourist destinations.
It’s spreading because people who are showing symptoms are not staying home when they should. And, it’s spreading because people aren’t social distancing and/or they’re not wearing masks.
Many of these cases involve younger Ohioans in their 20s and 30s. People are letting their guard down, and all the great actions Ohioans have taken are in danger of being reversed.
