Cuyahoga County COVID-19 Threat Downgraded By State

CLEVELAND — For the first time this year, Cuyahoga County is no longer considered "red" for its COVID-19 spread.

Cuyahoga County is now classified as "orange," meaning there is "increased exposure and spread" of the virus.

The Ohio Department of Health has downgraded the county's threat level due to declining COVID-19 numbers locally. Gov. Mike DeWine said he was "delighted" by the county's improvement.

Since July 17, the Cuyahoga County Board of Health has seen a steady decline in new COVID-19 cases. After peaking at 919 case confirmed in one week, health officials confirmed only 621 new COVID-19 cases on Aug. 14. That's the fewest new cases confirmed in Cuyahoga County since June 26.

Besides new cases of the virus being down, less Cuyahoga County residents are dying from COVID-19, the board of health said.

This is the first time Cuyahoga County has not been classified as "red" by the Ohio Public Health Advisory System, which was rolled out this summer.

Only nine counties in Ohio are classified as "red" this week for "very high" COVID-19 spread: Clark, Lorain, Preble, Trumbull, Clermont, Erie, Franklin, Lucas and Mercer.