As he revealed the state's latest coronavirus (COVID-19) risk assessment map, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that eight counties have been upgraded to Level 3.
Those eight counties include Medina and Erie County, which are now labeled as having "very high exposure and spread" of the coronavirus.
In the case of Erie County, DeWine said that it is currently considered an area of high incidence, with 89 total and 23 percent of its cases having occurred in the last two weeks. DeWine also noted that its recent rise in emergency room visits is also alarming.
As for Medina County, DeWine said that there were 74 cases during the 7-day period of July 6 to 13. That marks the highest number of cases for a 7-day time period since the pandemic began.
Previously, a county being in Level 3 meant that a mandate requiring that county to wear masks while in public would go into effect. But on Wednesday, DeWine enacted a statewide mask mandate, regardless of county level, that will go into effect at 6 p.m. on Thursday.