MANSFIELD - Richland County turned "purple" Thursday, joining a select group of Ohio's counties that have been elevated to the highest level on the state's COVID-19 alert map.

On Thursday, Richland County, which recorded 858 cases in the last 14 days, had 708 cases per 100,000 residents. One week earlier, it had 833 cases per 100,000 residents. COVID-19 in Ohio ...