Butler County General Health District reported 669 new cases of COVID-19 between Feb. 6 and Feb. 12, according to its weekly update released Tuesday, Feb. 22. The COVID-19 cases are down by 1,124 from the previous week. Even though cases are declining, the incidence is still considered “high,” according to the report.

The county also reported that the Ohio Department of Health has verified 1,039 Ohio COVID-19 related deaths throughout the pandemic. That’s 19 more than the previous report.

Butler County reported 174.6 cases per 100,000 people for a positivity rate of 13.7% during the reporting period. 

The county’s figures reflect national COVID-19 rates, according to the report. 

Oxford’s city mask ordinance, reinstated Jan. 18, and Talawanda School District’s mask mandate are both set to expire on March 1. 

Miami University updated its COVID-19 Oxford Campus Dashboard Wednesday, Feb. 23, reporting that there were no new student or employee cases since Monday, Feb. 21. There are 12 students still in isolation, with 116 available beds remaining in isolation dorms, according to the university report. 

“Miami will continue to monitor the rates of COVID-19 transmission, and once Butler County and the 45056 zip code moves below the high transmission threshold, the COVID management team, comprised of Miami faculty and staff, will discuss revisiting the mask requirement,” said Jessica Rivinius, senior director of news and communication at Miami.