SUMMIT COUNTY, Ohio — Cases of COVID-19 are once again rising in Summit County. Summit County Public Health’s COVID-19 interactive data tracker shows a steady rise in cases since about June 28.

A Centers for Disease Control COVID measurement tool, launched earlier this year, now shows Summit County has moved upward from Community Level Medium/yellow to Community Level High/orange. The CDC tool bases its findings on health data, such as number of COVID-19 cases, number of hospital admissions and percentage of hospital beds in use by COVID patients, the CDC said.

What You Need To Know

  • Cases of COVID-19 are rising in Summit County

  • The Centers for Disease Control raised Summit County’s level of spread from medium to high

  • Summit County Public Health will host a free vaccine drive-thru clinic August 23 in its parking lot

  • Vaccinations will be offered for those who need booster shots and to those who have never been vaccinated against COVID-19

To attempt to drive down community spread, Summit County Public Health will host a free drive-thru vaccination clinic at the health department office from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23.

Summit County Public Health’s COVID-19 interactive data tracker shows a steady rise in cases since late June. (Courtesy of Summit County Public Health)

The health department office is located at 1867 W. Market St. in west Akron. Masks are required and no appointment is necessary.

The health department will offer booster doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to those who have already been vaccinated. Second booster doses can be administered four or more months after the date of the first booster dose for:

  • people 50 and older
  • people 12 or older for Pfizer and 18 or older for Moderna who are moderately or severely immunocompromised
  • people who received Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine for their first shot and booster

The Novavax vaccine will be offered to those who have never been vaccinated against COVID-19, health officials said.

Health officials urge residents to protect themselves by keeping COVID-19 vaccinations current

  • washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds
  • covering coughs and sneezes
  • using hand sanitizer frequently
  • wearing masks indoors in public when safe distancing isn’t possible.
  • maintaining social distancing of at least six feet from non-household members

Residents are also encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 and stay home when they’re ill. People who are at higher risk for illness should take additional safety precautions, the health department said.

For more information, call Summit County Public Health’s COVID-19 call line at 330-926-5795. The line is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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