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Hospitals preparing for uptick in COVID-19 cases with Ohio reopening

With the state opening back up, combined with a gathering this weekend resulting in 10 arrests, a doctor is reminding people they still need to social distance.

TOLEDO, Ohio — Doctors are warning that large gatherings such as one that happened in central Toledo this weekend could lead to an uptick of COVID-19 cases. 

Police reports estimate that 300 to 500 cars were in a parking lot at Monroe and Detroit streets, bringing about 700 people together Sunday night. 

911 calls show complaints of fights, guns shot, and cars blocking traffic.

Nine adults and one juvenile were arrested. The adults will be in court Tuesday.

RELATED: Amish teens in NE Ohio arrested for underage drinking party, violating stay at home order

RELATED: 7 arrested over the weekend for violating Ohio's stay-at-home order

Dr. Kevin Casey with Mercy Health says we still need to avoid large gatherings if Toledo expects to see cases go down.

"You are more likely to infect someone or get infected if you are closer to them than the 6 feet, if you are not practicing the appropriate standards with the hygiene, and wearing the mask, and the longer you're in the proximity," Dr. Casey said.

It's not just large gatherings that go against the state's latest advisory that have doctors concerned. There are also concerns regarding several businesses reopening. 

"We have been discussing for weeks that we should anticipate an uptick probably two to three weeks after things start to open back up," Dr. Casey said.

They're preparing because they've already seen it happen.

"There are some other states that have opened up and are a little farther ahead of us and maybe not seen it to the degree that was to be expected, but just because they haven't seen it doesn't mean we won't," Dr. Casey said.

If you are planning on getting together with a few friends, there are some things you need to know about each other first.

"Know if they're having any symptoms, OK. Know if they've had a fever over the last couple of days, if they do have a cough, if they've been around anybody who's had those symptoms. You might want to know that, that might be important," Dr. Casey said. 

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