Coronavirus in Ohio: State to launch newest COVID-19 case numbers

COLUMBUS (WCMH) — The Ohio Department of Health is scheduled to release the latest number of COVID-19 cases in the state by 2 p.m. Sunday. 

As of Saturday, Sept. 25, a total of 1,385,749 (+5,379) cases have been reported since the start of the pandemic, leading to 71,783 (+177) hospitalizations, 9,365 (+19) ICU admissions, and 21,820 (+224) deaths.

On Saturday, ODH reported a total of 6,280,049 Ohioans — 53.73% of the state’s population — has started the vaccination process. That’s an increase of 9,256 from the previous day.   

The Department of Health reported 125 deaths, Tuesday, bringing the total to 21,596. The state is updating the number only after death certificates have been processed, usually twice a week.

The 21-day case average for Ohio is now over 6,500, as some Ohio intensive care units are running out of beds.

Saturday, the Ohio Department of Health released guidance on vaccine booster doses. ODH gave the following recommendations:

• People 65 years and older or residents in long-term care settings SHOULD receive a booster shot.
• People ages 50 to 64 with certain underlying medical conditions SHOULD receive a booster shot.
• People ages 18 to 49 with certain underlying medical conditions MAY receive a booster shot based on their individual benefits and risks. The CDC has indicated that this is a determination made by the vaccine recipient.
• People age 18 and older who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of their job or living in an institutional setting MAY receive a booster shot based on their individual benefits and risks. The CDC has indicated that this is a determination made by the vaccine recipient.

Download the ODH booster shot fact sheet below.

Governor Mike DeWine expressed concern over increasing hospitalizations among Ohioans 49 and younger, with nearly 400 the week of Sept. 5, and the vast majority of patients were unvaccinated. He said that in August, on average two people younger than 50 died of COVID-19 every day.

DeWine spoke with medical officials from around the state, who said in addition to COVID-19 patients filling hospitals that they are starting to see staffing issues, making caring for those patients difficult.

Ohio recorded 9,019 coronavirus cases Sept. 10, the most during the Delta wave. It was the highest one-day total since Jan. 8 (9,535).

Just 17 days in the entire pandemic has Ohio seen 9,000 cases, and only 10 days have seen more than 10,000. The state’s highest one-day total was set on Nov. 23 with 11,885 cases.