DeWine: 'Informal Gatherings' Big Part Of Record COVID-19 Spread In Ohio

As Ohio’s COVID-19 cases rise — setting a record and potentially pushing counties throughout the state to the next level in its advisory system — Gov. Mike DeWine is urging defense teams at the county level to take action.

Ohio saw nearly 3,600 new cases on Thursday (October 29), though it didn’t jump to purple, the next advisory level. The state has never had more than 3,000 cases in a day, the Cleveland Scene pointed out, noting that Cuyahoga County hasn’t risen to the next advisory level, despite fears that it would.

Statewide, there have been more than 208,900 total cases and 18,800 hospitalizations, according to the Ohio Department of Health. The department has tracked 5,275 total deaths as of Thursday afternoon.

DeWine pointed to informal social gatherings as the culprit for Ohio’s rising coronavirus cases. He clarified, however, that those gatherings aren’t the only factor.

“I'm not saying there is no spread in workplaces, schools, bars, etc.,” DeWine said in a tweet Thursday afternoon. “What I am saying is that a big part of the spread — according to those dealing with it every day — is coming from informal gatherings.”

In a separate tweet, he noted that some of the “innocent events” that could lead to COVID-19 outbreaks include retirement celebrations, birthday parties, bonfires, movie nights and others. It’s “dangerous,” he added, because some attendees could unknowingly be carriers of the virus.

DeWine urged each county to take charge against COVID-19, continuing to stress precautions.

For months, DeWine has urged Ohioans to continue wearing masks, social distancing and other recommended Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

"All of us have to come together to fight this enemy," DeWine said. "We have the tools to beat this virus back. We have to get back to fundamentals."

Photo: Getty Images