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Morgan County's actual number of new COVID-19 cases decreased in the latest statistics from the Ohio Department of Health, but its rate per 100,000 people remained the highest in the state for the third week in a row.
With 14,508 residents, Morgan County posted 38 new COVID cases from April 20 to May 3. That's down from the 57 recorded from April 13-26.
The corresponding rate per 100,000 people dropped from 392.9 to 261.9, but it was still the largest in Ohio's 88 counties, ahead of Jackson County, which saw 43 new cases among its 32,413 residents for a rate of 132.7 per 100,000. The statewide average was 41.4, down from 47.1 in the preceding period.
Washington County, population 59,911, was just outside the top 10 with a rate of 55.1 per 100,000 (12th) on 33 new cases. That's also a decrease from the previous span, when there were 36 new cases and rate of 60.1 (18th).
Noble County recorded six new cases among its 14,424 residents in the most recent period. After posting three before that, its rate rose from 20.8 per 100,00 (81st) to 41.6 (37th).
Monroe County, population 13,654, reported just four new cases in the last two weeks, after tallying nine before that. That dropped the rate from 65.9 per 100,000 (10th) to 29.3 (64th).
Athens County continued to see new cases decline, with 15 in the most recent period (23 per 100,000, 74th), half of what it reported in the earlier span (45.9 per 100,000, 44th).
Due to the number of new cases, Morgan County qualified as medium on the COVID Community Levels updated weekly by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency recommends residents of those counties wear a mask in indoor, public spaces if they are at greater risk for serious illness from the virus.
Other area counties were designated low, where the CDC advises people at greater risk of serious illness to consult their health care provider about what precautions to take.