News Updates Archive

January 13, 2023: On January 12, Franklin County’s COVID-19 community level was changed to green (low). While this is good news, we encourage residents to embrace a mask-friendly culture, especially during the winter months when COVID-19, flu and RSV may … Read More

January 9, 2023 Franklin County continues to be medium (yellow) community level. This means: You should stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and get your updated booster if it has been over two months since your last dose (either … Read More

On December 22, 2022, the CDC identified Franklin County as medium (yellow) community level. This has changed from low (green). This means: You should stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and get your updated booster if it has been … Read More

On September 30, 2022, the CDC identified Franklin County as low (green) community transmission level. This has changed from yellow (medium). This means: Anyone can wear a mask at any time, we encourage residents to embrace a mask-friendly culture in … Read More

On September 23, 2022, the CDC identified Franklin County as medium (yellow) community transmission level. This has changed from green (low). This means: You should stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and get your updated booster if it has been over … Read More

September 12, 2022 Earlier this month, the CDC approved updated versions of the COVID-19 booster, which is available to Franklin County residents ages 12 and up. This booster includes an updated version of Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech and only requires one … Read More

On August 18, 2022, the CDC identified Franklin County as medium (yellow) community transmission level. This has changed from orange (high). While this is a great step in the right direction, we should all continue to follow precautions. You should … Read More

Statement from Joe Mazzola, Franklin County Health Commissioner August 19, 2022: Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 community level for Franklin County was downgraded to yellow (medium). To align with CDC guidance, Franklin County Public Health … Read More

August 17, 2022: As of August 11, the CDC Community Transmission Level for Franklin County is still high (orange). At a high COVID-19 Community Level, universal indoor masking is recommended community-wide, including in schools. For more information, read our Franklin County Community … Read More

July 22, 2022: The prevalence of COVID-19 in Franklin County has increased significantly in the last several weeks. The case rate in Franklin County is 214 per 100,000. New hospital admissions were 10.7 percent with 3.7 percent of patients in … Read More

July 22, 2022: On July 21, 2022, the CDC identified Franklin County as orange community level (high). This has changed from yellow (medium). Community levels are determined by level of new cases and new admissions in hospitals. Cases and hospitalizations … Read More

July 15, 2022: On July 14, 2022, the CDC identified Franklin County as medium (yellow) community level. This has changed from green (low). Cases in Franklin County are rising because of the highly-contagious Omicron BA.5 variant. To stay safe, you … Read More

May 25, 2022: On May 19, the CDC announced its recommendation that children ages 5 to 11 should get a Pfizer COVID-19 booster dose at least 5 months after their second shot. The CDC made this decision based on recent data. … Read More

May 25, 2022: On May 19, the CDC announced its recommendation that children ages 5 to 11 should get a Pfizer COVID-19 booster dose at least 5 months after their second shot. The CDC made this decision based on recent data. … Read More

May 5, 2022: When indoors on public transportation, the CDC recommends everyone aged 2 years and older wear a well-fitted mask. Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, avoiding crowds, and wearing a well-fitting mask are steps people can take … Read More

April 6, 2022 Everyone age 12 and older is eligible to get a COVID-19 booster dose. Last week, the CDC expanded guidance allowing adults age 50 and older and immunocompromised people to get a second booster dose. These populations are … Read More

March 14, 2022 On Thursday, March 10, the CDC changed Franklin County’s COVID-19 community level to green. We continue to recommend that all residents stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and get tested if you have symptoms. We encourage … Read More

February 28, 2022 On Friday, February 25, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its framework to monitor the level of COVID-19 in communities. This framework moves beyond case rates and test positivity to evaluate factors that reflect … Read More

February 25, 2022 Today the CDC released a new framework to monitor the level of COVID-19 in communities, focusing its recommendations on minimizing severe disease, limiting the strain on the healthcare system, and enabling those at the highest risk to … Read More

February 16, 2022 Franklin County Health Commissioner Joe Mazzola was pleased to be part of a conversation this week with Columbus Public Health Commissioner Dr. Mysheika Roberts and city leaders from Columbus, Bexley, Whitehall, and Worthington to discuss the status … Read More

Media Alert Mask Advisory Remains In Effect February 11, 2022 Franklin County Public Health continues to advise and recommend universal masking in schools, businesses, and other indoor settings at this time. While the number of cases, positivity rate, and hospitalizations … Read More

December 17, 2021 WHAT:          Franklin County Public Health, in partnership with several local fire departments, is giving out at-home BinaxNOW COVID-19 test kits. Test kits are free of charge, no forms to fill out, no ID needed. Limit of six … Read More

November 20, 2021 WHAT:             Franklin County Public Health is giving out free at-home COVID-19 test kits. Free of charge, no forms to fill out, no ID needed. Limit of six kits per person, while supplies last. WHEN:            Monday, … Read More

November 3, 2021 On Tuesday, November 2, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met and recommended the emergency use authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 -11 years of age. That action was immediately followed by the … Read More

September 8, 2021 Just over a month ago, Franklin County Public Health issued an advisory urging everyone to wear a mask indoors and in crowded areas regardless of vaccine status until further notice. The advisory followed the Centers for Disease … Read More

August 5, 2021 Columbus Public Health and Franklin County Public Health issued a mask advisory today urging everyone to wear a mask indoors and in crowded areas regardless of vaccine status until further notice. The advisory follows the Centers for … Read More

As K-12 schools prepare to start the new school year, Franklin County Public Health (FCPH) and Columbus Public Health (CPH) support full in-person learning. To facilitate and maximize keeping our students safe in the classroom, while also minimizing the spread … Read More

To align with the recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, the Franklin County Board of Health voted tonight to rescind its mask order originally adopted on July 14, 2020.  As a reminder, the Ohio Department of Health … Read More

Yesterday evening, Governor DeWine announced that the State of Ohio will be lifting most health orders on June 2. Measures being removed will include facial coverings protocols, social distancing guidelines and capacity restrictions for indoor and outdoor events. FCPH will … Read More

On Friday, April 23, 2021, CDC and FDA lifted the pause on the use of the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, following a vote by CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to reaffirm its recommendation to make the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine … Read More

Governor DeWine announced today that Franklin County has moved to level purple (advisory level 4) within the Ohio Public Health Advisory System. The increasing number of new cases and COVID-19 related healthcare use (including emergency department, outpatient visits and hospitalizations) … Read More

WHAT:   Appointment scheduling for first dose vaccination WHEN:  Online scheduling will open today (April 13) and remain open as more clinics are added to the schedule. Please Note: Moving forward, news releases will only be sent when the hotline opens. … Read More

Yesterday, Governor DeWine announced that Franklin County has been put on the watch list in the Ohio Public Health Advisory System with the risk to move to “purple.”  This designation is a result of a sustained increase in cases and … Read More

WHAT:  Appointment scheduling opening for first dose vaccination WHEN:  Thursday, April 8 at 1 p.m. for appointments on April 12(no appointments can be made before 1 p.m.)Hotline open until 4 p.m., online scheduling will be open until filled. HOW:  Those … Read More

WHAT:  Appointment scheduling opening for first dose vaccination WHEN:  Thursday, April 1 at 1:00 p.m. for appointments on April 7. No appointments can be made before this time. WHERE:  A scheduling link will be available at vax2normal.org/vaccine. WHO:  Anyone 18 … Read More

Franklin County Public Health (FCPH) has received a vaccine allotment to offer first doses of COVID-19 vaccine to all eligible groups identified by the Ohio Department of Health. Detailed information about these groups can be found on the Ohio Department … Read More

On behalf of the Franklin County Board of Health and the 480,000 residents we serve, Franklin County Public Health (FCPH) extends its thanks to Governor DeWine for the courage to veto Senate Bill 22 (SB 22). Local health departments have … Read More

As more kids return to the classroom, Columbus Public Health and Franklin County Public Health are joining the Central Ohio Superintendents Association to remind our community of the importance of following all health and safety protocols in order to keep … Read More

Franklin County Public Health (FCPH) has received a vaccine allotment to offer first doses of COVID-19 vaccine to all eligible groups identified by the Ohio Department of Health including the expanded vaccine eligibility in Ohio beginning on March 19, 2021, … Read More

Franklin County Public Health (FCPH) has received a vaccine allotment to offer first doses of COVID-19 vaccine (by appointment only) to all individuals in all phases who are eligible as identified by Governor DeWine and the Ohio Department including the … Read More

As FCPH surpasses 20,000 doses administered of the COVID-19 vaccine, the work that happens at our clinic, and through all of the pandemic providers, is literally healing families and our community. As we look forward, there is light ahead. Each … Read More

Franklin County Public Health (FCPH) has received a vaccine allotment to offer first doses of COVID-19 vaccine by appointment only to those 65 years of age and older and those with severe congenital, developmental or early onset disorder. FCPH Appointment Information … Read More

Franklin County Public Health (FCPH) has received a vaccine allotment to offer first doses of COVID-19 vaccine by appointment only to those 65 years of age and older and those with severe congenital, developmental or early onset disorder. FCPH Appointment Information … Read More

Our trends continue in a positive direction. Daily new cases and overall hospitalizations are still declining. Governor DeWine lifted the curfew yesterday. Indicators that the steps we are all taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are working. Let’s keep … Read More

As we close out our first week of February, there is more good and exciting news. First, the number of new cases and hospitalizations continues to decline in our community. That’s a result of the steps each and every one … Read More

As we end the first month of 2021, we have a unique opportunity here in Franklin County to make significant progress in our fight against COVID-19. While Franklin County remained at the red level in the Ohio Public Health Advisory … Read More

Franklin County Public Health (FCPH) will receive 1,000 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine which will be used for two clinics scheduled on Thursday, February 4, 2021 and Friday, February 5, 2021. These two clinics are open to adults 70 … Read More

Columbus Public Health and Franklin County Public Health have extended the Stay at Home Advisory until February 6, 2021. The Stay at Home Advisory coincides with Governor Mike DeWine’s extension of the statewide 10 p.m. curfew. Residents are advised to … Read More

Franklin County Public Health (FCPH) will receive 1,200 doses of COVID-19 vaccine which will be used for two clinics scheduled on Monday, January 25, 2021 and Tuesday, January 26, 2021. These two clinics are open to adults 75 years of … Read More

Columbus Public Health (CPH) and Franklin County Public Health (FCPH) will both receive limited doses of COVID-19 vaccine to start vaccinating our seniors 80 years of age and older next week. CPH will only have 600 doses and FCPH only … Read More

FCPH is in week two of providing its COVID-19 vaccinations to our emergency medical services personnel and healthcare workers who are all part of Phase 1A. FCPH has provided the first dose of the vaccinations to over 4,500 individuals. And … Read More

Columbus Public Health and Franklin County Public Health have extended the Stay at Home Advisory until January 23, 2021. The Stay at Home Advisory coincides with Governor Mike DeWine’s extension of the statewide 10 p.m. curfew which was expanded due … Read More

It has been an exciting week for FCPH. We are administering COVID-19 vaccine to individuals whose jobs put them at high risk of exposure to COVID-19 as identified in the state’s COVID-19 vaccination plan. Our first clinic was this past … Read More

FCPH had the opportunity to participate in a virtual meeting over the weekend with U.S. Surgeon General Vice Admiral Jerome Adams and Governor DeWine. The Surgeon General stated we should all be focused on what he called the two Vs … Read More

News this week about the vaccine beginning to be delivered and administered around the country is certainly exciting. It’s a source of hope at the time of year when many of us need and look for it. It also arrives … Read More

Columbus Public Health and Franklin County Public Health have extended the Stay at Home Advisory until January 2, 2021. The Stay at Home Advisory, which began on November 20, was extended due to high case numbers and community spread and … Read More

The backlog of antigen tests cleared by ODH today added approximately 571 cases to the FCPH probable case count. While you will see this increase in the cumulative number on our daily report, they have been tallied into the count on … Read More

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Robert Redfield issued this stark warning about the worsening death toll from the coronavirus on Thursday. He stated that “We are in the timeframe now that probably for the next 60 … Read More

Yesterday, Governor DeWine announced Franklin County moved from purple to red in the Ohio Public Health Advisory System. It is important to realize this does NOT mean Franklin County residents are at less risk of COVID-19. We find ourselves in … Read More

Thanksgiving is a time to express gratitude. We continue to extend our thanks to our residents and community for all they have done since March to slow the spread of COVID-19. Please remember to celebrate this Thanksgiving safely. The number … Read More

In response to the Ohio Public Advisory System designating Franklin County Level 4 or “purple,” Franklin County Public Health and Columbus Public Health further stress the vital importance of the Stay at Home Advisory issued yesterday. It is critical that all … Read More

Columbus Public Health and Franklin County Public Health have issued at Stay at Home Advisory, effective at 6 p.m. on November 20. The advisory is in response to rapid increases in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and the community positivity rate. Columbus … Read More

Every resident of Franklin County should be very concerned about the transmission of COVID-19 in our community. What each one of us does can tip the scales in one direction or the other. Right now, what we are doing is … Read More

The troubling trend of record numbers in our new daily case reports continues in Franklin County and across Ohio. The only way to “flatten that curve” again is for each and every one of us to recommit to do what … Read More

Franklin County Public Health (FCPH) strongly urges everyone to take a moment to realize the troubling trends in our state and community. Ohio is breaking records of the number of new cases reported daily. Closer to home, daily case counts … Read More

It will be an exciting weekend with the start of Buckeye Football on Saturday. Just a reminder, we are asking our residents to consider limiting their gatherings with others.  We continue to see a significant increase in COVID-19 cases here … Read More

This week we find ourselves concerned about trends we continue to see here in Franklin County. Yesterday, Franklin County moved back up to the Level 3 (Red) in the Ohio Public Health Alert System.  We now meet 4 of the … Read More

Now that we are more than a week into October, we may start to see some of our concerns come to fruition. For several weeks now, Franklin County Public Health, as well as our state and federal public health partners, … Read More

Today we want to start by taking a moment to recognize the reality of how COVID-19 can affect anyone at any time. Last night President Trump announced that he and first lady, Melania Trump, tested positive for the virus. We, … Read More

This week the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, Central Ohio Mayors & Managers Association and Franklin County Township Association announced their support for trick-or-treat activities in celebration of Halloween. Franklin County Public Health (FCPH) has been proactively working with these organizations … Read More

Transparency and communication have been a priority of Franklin County Public Health (FCPH) during the COVID-19 response. We participate in daily briefings with the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, convene webinars for interested parties to discuss state orders and guidance, … Read More

Today, we pause and remember all who were lost on September 11, 2001. Our country and community changed forever that day. Public health changed as well with a new focus on emergency preparedness and response. September is National Preparedness Month … Read More

Franklin County residents worked hard to help us drop from red to orange in the Ohio Public Health Advisory Alert System last week. We remain in orange this week. It is clear that wearing a face mask, social distancing, and staying … Read More

In March, I wrote an open letter to the community expressing my view that COVID-19 may be the greatest public health threat of our lifetime. Now, almost 150 days later, we are working, parenting, educating, eating, shopping, exercising and socializing … Read More

In the continued effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community, the Franklin County Board of Health adopted an emergency order mandating facial coverings during their monthly meeting today. This action provides a uniform facial covering policy across … Read More

As we approach the unofficial mid-point of summer and celebrate the 4th of July, many of us are looking forward to spending time with friends and family. To go out to eat. To watch the kids or grandkids play sports. … Read More

As we head into the unofficial start to summer this Memorial Day weekend and continue to reopen Ohio, Columbus Public Health and Franklin County Public Health are sharing a few reminders to keep safe amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  With … Read More

The circumstances of this pandemic continue to change very quickly including how data is reported and shared. The decisions we have made at Franklin County Public Health (FCPH) are based on state guidance, state law, protected health information requirements and … Read More

To the Residents of Franklin County: We are facing the most significant public health threat of our lifetime. The COVID-19 pandemic has reached Central Ohio, and now we must each change the way we live our lives. While all of … Read More

It is with great sadness that we announce the county’s first death, an 84-year-old woman, attributed to COVID-19 today. While there are no words that can mend a grieving heart, we do extend our deepest sympathies to the family. Unfortunately, … Read More

On Sunday, March 22nd, the Ohio Department of Health released a Director’s Stay at Home Order pursuant to to Ohio revised code section 3701.13. This authorizes the Director of ODH to make special orders to prevent the spread of contagious … Read More

On Wednesday, March 18th, Franklin County Public Health passed a resolution declaring a public health emergency pursuant to Ohio revised code section 3709.21. This authorizes the Health Commissioner to act on behalf of the Board of Health in administering provisions … Read More

Franklin County Public Health (FCPH) and the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) are reporting the first two cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Franklin County outside of the City of Columbus. The residents are a 52-year-old male and a 35-year-old … Read More

We’re writing today to provide an update on the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Our local public health agencies continue to work in partnership with the Ohio Department of Health to monitor the situation, and are prepared to protect … Read More

Dear Public Health Partners: We’re writing today to provide an update on the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Columbus Public Health and Franklin County Public Health continue to work in partnership with the Ohio Department of Health to monitor … Read More

Dear Business Partners: We’re writing today to provide an update on the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Our local public health agencies continue to work in partnership with the Ohio Department of Health to monitor the situation, and are … Read More

Dear Hotel Business Partners: Public health is closely monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus (COVID-19) that developed in Wuhan, Hubei, China in December 2019. Human-to-human transmission of the coronavirus has been verified, but is limited … Read More

Dear Business Partners: Public health is closely monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus (2019- nCoV) that developed in Wuhan, Hubei, China in December 2019. Human-to-human transmission of the coronavirus has been verified, but is limited … Read More

Dear Public Health Partners: We’re writing today to provide an update on the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Columbus Public Health and Franklin County Public Health continue to work in partnership with the Ohio Department of Health to monitor … Read More