The Center for Disease Control uses the total number of cases per 100-thousand persons in the last 7-days and the percentage of positive COVID-19 tests in the last seven days to determine the level of transmission. As of August 1st, Allen County has a rate of nearly 65 cases per-100-thousand persons. That is considered as “substantial transmission”. The percentage of positivity has gone from 5.6% up to just over 11% in the last seven days as well. Local health officials say now is the time we need to change our strategy in limiting the spread.

Gov. Mike DeWine made a surprise visit to Allen County on Friday. Frankly, because he’s very concerned with the spread of the coronavirus in western Ohio. DeWine's first words when speaking to the news media was west Ohio has a significant spread of COVID-19. Friday marked the highest daily new cases in the state since the start of the pandemic, over 1,800 cases.

Allen County Public Health announced the county has seen its first COVID-19 related death. Health officials say the person was a 92-year-old man who tested positive for COVID-19, and had underlying health problems. No personal details of the man were released. As time passes, Allen County Health Commissioner Kathy Luhn says, unfortunately, we are going to see the number of deaths increase, and that it's important to take the steps needed to try and flatten the curve.