COLUMBUS, Ohio (WTVN)--For the first time since November of 2020, Franklin County is in the "purple" level 4 on Ohio's coronavirus map.
The county moved down from being put on the watch list last week, with state health officials citing an increase in cases per 100,000 people, and increasing indicators of medical care, like hospital visits and outpatient services due to COVID-19.
Columbus Public Health Director, Dr. Mysheika Roberts, says we know much more about the virus since the last time the county was purple, with vaccines also available now.
She urges people to continue to social distance and wear a mask, while those that are not vaccinated urged to use caution out in public.
Dr. Roberts says children can continue to attend school this time around.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine also noted the state is heading in the wrong direction when it comes to lifting the state's health orders. The state is currently at 200 cases per 100,000 people, while DeWine says he'll lift the restrictions at 50 cases per 100K.