What does 'flatten the curve' mean?

NORWALK — Many people are concerned due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases but the best way to protect yourself and family is to stay at home. Only leaving the house for necessities or for some fresh air is the best way to keep this virus from spreading. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has said "flatten the curve" plenty since declaring an emergency, but what exactly does that mean? "The term 'flattening the curve' refers to the idea that society can slow the rate of infection for contagious diseases such as COVID-19 by taking measures like those issued by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, including social distancing. The 'curve' researchers are talking about refers to the projected number of people who will contract COVID-19 over a period of time," said Melanie Myers, Huron County Health public information officer. "The curve takes on different shapes depending on the virus's infection rate. A flatter curve assumes the same number of people ultimately get infected, but over a longer period of time. A slower infection rate means a less stressed health care system, fewer hospital visits on any given day and less sick people being turned away." First of all, flattening the curve refers to measures taken to try and slow the spread of the coronavirus. The curve itself is how many people are sick with COVID-19. No matter what measures are taken, one thing remains constant, there is only so many people each hospital can handle. Hospitals only have so many beds for sick people they must treat and globally, hospitals are at their limit. The goal of social distancing and Ohio's stay-at-home order is to slow the spread of COVID-19 so that hospitals in the state are able to care for those who truly need it. The two curves are different versions of what could happen in the United States. The tall, skinny curve shows what would happen if few measures are taken and many get sick in a short period of time. The low, thick curve shows people getting sick over a longer period of time, and fewer people getting sick, because of measures taken to slow the spread of the virus. With the two scenarios, by attempting to slow the spread of COVID-19, there should be a slower acceleration of the number of cases of the coronavirus and a reduced peak number of cases and related demands on hospitals. With intervention, the number of overall cases and health effects should be reduced. As many want to know more about those who are sick, HIPPA regulations prohibit Huron County Public Health (HCPH) from sharing personal, identifiable information regarding patients. "Because of this, Huron County Public Health will not be sharing additional information regarding confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Huron County," said Myers. "As we continue to monitor situations of infectious disease in the county, information will be shared as is necessary to protect the public while also considering the rights of any ill individual to privacy." Myers said HCPH is in contact with any individuals who may have been exposed to the positive COVID-19 cases and will provide guidance to those individuals including potential employers. "Testing in the county is occurring, however, as of March 14, 2020, physicians are only required to report confirmed cases of COVID-19, therefore, we do not have an accurate count of how many tests have occurred in Huron County," she said.