COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus and several local health officials talked about COVID-19 in central Ohio on Monday as we head into the winter season.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said cases are rising and he expects numbers to continue to increase or get worse.
He said the solution “requires us to be vigilant and recommit ourselves and those we love to the spike against the pandemic.”
"We can do this together," Ginther said.
Columbus Health Commissioner Mysheika Roberts said as of Monday, Columbus has 24,953 cases with 489 deaths among residents.
According to Columbus Public Health, 317 of the deaths have happened in long-term care facilities.
Roberts said the highest number of cases are among those 20 to 39 years old.
Ginther, Roberts and other medical professionals discussed how Ohio State games could impact the number of cases immediately outside campus.
“Some of the pictures I saw from this weekend, I am very concerned and I would anticipate that if it leads to more cases we would start to see that increase in about five to seven days from Saturday,” Roberts said.\
As of Oct. 26, Franklin County is at a 'Level 3' or 'Red' on the state's advisory system. That means the county is displaying a "very high" exposure and spread.
Mayor Ginther announced the city of Columbus would commit $1 million of CARES Act funding to help in educating the community on the virus.
The Columbus Public Health COVID-19 portal with more information can be seen here.