State lifts COVID-19 health orders today

All COVID-19 health orders officially expired early this morning, including the state's mask mandate and capacity limitations for outdoor facilities, among others.

Businesses and schools will still be able to require masks and social distancing if they choose to do so, according to a news release from Gov. Mike DeWine's office on Tuesday.

The lifting of the health order does not apply to jails, prison facilities, nursing homes, assisted living facilities or adult day centers for the elderly.

More than 5.3 million Ohioans have received their first vaccinations and 4.6 million have completed the vaccination series. Unvaccinated individuals are encouraged to continue to wear masks, socially distance, avoid large gatherings, and participate in activities and gatherings that occur outdoors, according to DeWine's office.

Locally, Auglaize County Health Department officials on Tuesday reported nine new cases of COVID-19 since their last update on Thursday, raising the county's cumulative case count to 3,676.

Officials also reported a cumulative 1,251 probable cases, 185 hospitalizations, 65 deaths and 4,800 people who are presumed to have recovered.

As of Tuesday evening, the Ohio Department of Health reported a cumulative 1,102,556 confirmed and probable cases, 59,247 hospitalizations and 19,861 Ohio resident deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.

Also on Tuesday, officials in a Mercer County Community Hospital news release announced the hospital will have a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinic from 1-5 p.m. Friday at the hospital.

Individuals can enter at the west entrance of the hospital, 800 W. Main St., Coldwater. The Moderna vaccine will be administered.

People should bring their insurance card and ID. The vaccine is free, but an administrative fee may be billed to insurance. The second vaccination will be scheduled at the first clinic.