Clark County ramps up toward COVID case peak while businesses begin reopening

Clark County, Ohio — The Clark County Combined Health District says the county has not reached its COVID-19 case peak -- but businesses have already started re-opening after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine gave the green light earlier this month.

As of Wednesday evening, the county had 122 cases, 101 confirmed and 21 probable. The first case was confirmed less than two months ago.

“We started the upswing a little later than other places in the state and in the country,” Clark County Combined Health District Commissioner Charles Patterson told News Center 7′s Jenna Lawson.

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Patterson said every county’s peak will happen at different times based on two critical components -- the county’s density and access to public transportation.

In the Miami Valley, Montgomery County and Butler County are the densest -- which means they have the most people per square mile. Those two counties also have the highest number of COVID-19 cases, so it’s probable that they may peak sooner than counties like Clark County where people are more greatly dispersed.

Public transportation is included in the calculation because of how quickly germs can spread in high-touch spaces like buses. Part of Clark County is serviced by the Springfield City Area Transit, but it is not as expansive as larger transportation systems like the Greater Dayton RTA -- which Clark County’s health district said has actually helped to reduce the spread of the COVID-19.

“Less places for people to be together to pass the virus,” Patterson said.

But the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases comes at a tricky time -- when businesses have begun to open their doors to the public.

Patterson said he doesn’t believe that businesses shouldn’t have opened, but it does mean that patrons will have to exercise even more caution than they would in a county where the cases are decreasing.

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He said the county is not only seeing more transmission of the disease from person to person, but the health district is also identifying more people who are not showing signs of COVID-19, but have contracted it.

He advised everyone adhere to the governor’s Stay Safe Ohio Order.

“When you have to go out, go out,” Patterson said. “Do your business with as few people as possible. Wash your hands. Wear your masks. Make sure you are not hanging out with lots of other people.”

He said moving forward, the key will be finding a balance. He said health and economy do go together.

“Balance is not hiding in your home for the next six months, but balance is also not having a big graduation party this weekend for our graduates.”

It’s not clear when the county is predicted to hit its peak.

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