Hamilton County

Norwood is on track to close down its 911 service and turn the dispatching duties over to Hamilton County. With the approval of Norwood City Council, the partnership could happen Feb. 1. Hamilton County Communications Director Andy Knapp says the goal is to make the change as smoothly as possible.

Ohio hasn't seen a "dramatic surge" in new COVID-19 cases related to the holidays, according to the governor. But Mike DeWine says there has been an upswing. Hamilton County is now at "purple," the highest level on the state's color coded map tracking several different benchmarks. 

Hamilton County is reporting a weekly increase of 5,872 COVID-19 cases following a backlog of antigen tests being cleared throughout the state. "Our cases here in Hamilton County, when you take that out, continue to be rather plateaued," Health Commissioner Greg Kesterman said.

For the fourth week in a row, Hamilton County is reporting nearly 4,000 new cases, with 3,943 announced during a Wednesday briefing.

As more COVID-19 cases emerge, more hospitalizations are due to follow, officials say. Earlier this week, UC Health hospitals announced they were pausing elective surgeries for the near future to make way for potential COVID cases.

Due to a rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations, UC Health hospitals will be suspending elective surgeries for the near future. This comes two weeks after UC Health implemented initial surge operations, which reduced half of the elective operations.

As COVID-19 cases continue to skyrocket in the Greater Cincinnati area, Mayor John Cranley has announced that City Hall will close Monday. It is not clear when it may reopen.

The number of positive COVID-19 cases continues to climb in Hamilton County, and the number of people hospitalized because of the virus in the region is also increasing. It comes as the county could move to "purple" on the state's coronavirus advisory map when it's released Thursday. That's the highest level.

Authorities with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office announced that Cpl. Adam McMillan, a deputy who was in critical condition after a crash with a Metro bus on Oct. 8, died of his injuries on Friday.

Hamilton County's health commissioner said Wednesday if current COVID-19 trends continue, it's "inevitable" the county will reach "purple" on the state's health advisory map.  That's the highest and most severe level.

The Hamilton County commissioners are expected to give final approval Thursday to a policy agenda for the county for 2021 and 2022.

Hamilton County, like the rest of the state and the nation, is seeing an increasing number of positive COVID-19 cases. In the last week, there have been 954 new cases in the county.

Hamilton County and Cincinnati officials continue fundraising and design work on plans to replace the aging Western Hills Viaduct. County Engineer Eric Beck provided an update Tuesday to county commissioners.

Hamilton County has now allocated all but $150,000 of the federal money it received to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hamilton County's health commissioner expects to remain "red" on the state's coronavirus advisory map for at least two more weeks. 

A Cincinnati Council committee heard testimony Tuesday evening about the negative impacts the city police department gun range in Evendale is having on that village as well as on nearby Lincoln Heights and Woodlawn.

The Metropolitan Sewer District continues work on some projects to reduce sewage overflows into local streams.