On Oct. 27, 1918, by the last week of October, Cincinnati seemed to be rounding the bend. New cases and deaths began to decline. The estimated total number of cases since the beginning of the epidemic was a staggering 20,000–25,000, and added that number was increasing daily.

Fully aware that the danger had not yet completely passed but hopeful that the worst was over, city officials turned their attention to providing care and services to survivors. Families were asked to take in children who were left temporarily orphaned by ill parents.