Summit County COVID-19 Response

Since March, the priority of Executive Shapiro and Summit County Government has been to deliver the services and resources that our residents, businesses, and communities rely on in a way that is safe for the public and county staff. Although the way we operate has and will continue to change as we navigate the pandemic, the mission of providing the best services and resources to the families and businesses of Summit County remains constant.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Summit County Emergency Operations Center was activated on March 14, 2020. This activation was requested by Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro to help support our public health officials and first responders. Based on guidance from the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (EMA), the Summit County EOC was activated in a virtual environment, meaning the EMA and its preparedness partners can share and request information in a manner which promotes safe public health practices, by minimizing a physical presence and maximizing our ability to provide and coordinate information.

Public access to most Summit County government offices is currently suspended. On March 16, public access was suspended to public buildings and offices in accordance with guidance from Ohio Department of Job and Family Services as well as Summit County Public Health’s recommendation for social distancing policies. Summit County Agencies and Departments continued the crucial work of serving the public through e-mail, phone, and appointment services. Please contact individual departments and offices to request information on their current operating procedures.

Summit County temporarily adjusted staffing to essential personnel on March 16, 2020. Non-essential personnel were placed on paid administrative leave and all essential staff that had the capability to work from home were directed to do so. Since March, staff placed on administrative leave have been either brought back to work in the Division of COVID-19 Response or given the required equipment to work from home. In order to protect the health and safety of Summit County staff and the public, many employees continue to work from home full-time or rotate working in the office and at home.

The Division of COVID-19 Response was created by Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro and Summit County Council in March to help relieve Summit County's government offices and the public service agencies in our County. Staff were assigned internally to clean and sanatize central locations in county buildings, oversee temperature-taking in county buildings, and perform other related, essential jobs. Externally, staff were assigned to assist with United Way of Summit and Medina Counties' 2-1-1 call center.

Since March, the priority of Executive Shapiro and Summit County Government has been delivering the services and resources that our residents, businesses, and communities rely on in a way that is safe for the public and county staff. Although the way we operate has and will continue to change as we navigate the pandemic, the mission of providing the best services and resources to the families and businesses of Summit County remains constant.

CARES Act Funding

Summit County received a direct allocation of $94 million from the federal CARES Act. Through collaboration with Summit County Government Offices, our 31 communities, and over multiple non-profits and community organizations, Summit County is set to spend all $94 million for the benefit of our community before December, 2020. Please visit the "Summit County CARES Funding" page to see how Summit County spent the CARES Act funds.