COVID Hospitalizations Spike in Ohio, PA Tops 500,000 Cases

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Health Tuesday reported 614 new one-day hospitalizations for COVID-19.

That’s up from 170 on Dec. 13 and the second highest number of one-day hospitalizations so far in the current 21-day trend: 657 patients were hospitalized Dec. 8. The current 21-day reported hospitalization average in Ohio is 372.

At 74, admissions to intensive care are at their highest for the current 21-day trend, with the average at 38.

The state also reported 8,755 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the state’s total to 579,357, as well as 103 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the cumulative count to 7,654.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 9,556 new cases Tuesday, bringing the commonwealth’s total to 509,320.

In Mahoning County, the ODH reports 12,083 cases Tuesday, up 231, with 757 hospitalizations, five more from the day before, and 311 deaths. The county has had 2,098 cases over the past two weeks, according to Ohio’s ZIP code case map. The 44512 ZIP code, Boardman, leads with 310; followed by 44515, Austintown, with 275; and 44514 Poland, with 232.

The ODH reports 8,953 cases in Trumbull County, 151 new, with 667 hospitalizations, five new, and 183 deaths. There have been 1,335 cases in the past two weeks, led by the 44483 ZIP code, Warren/Champion Heights, with 221; 44446, Niles/Girard, with 133; and 44410, Cortland, with 126 cases.

In Columbiana County, the ODH reports 5,168 positive cases, up 50, along with 363 hospitalizations, 10 new, and 113 deaths. There have been 744 new cases over the past two weeks, according to the state ZIP code map, led by 43920 – Calcutta – with 197 cases, and 44460 – Salem – with 147.

Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties are rated Red in the state’s color-coded Public Health Advisory System, indicating very high exposure and spread. All 88 counties in the state are at least Orange level, indicating increased exposure and spread.

Currently, Richland, Medina, Summit, Portage and Stark counties are ranked Purple – the highest threat level – indicating severe exposure and spread and recommending that residents leave their homes only for supplies and services.

Of the total cases reported by Ohio Department of Health, 529,508 are confirmed. ODH reported 49,849 probable cases based on the CDC’s expanded case definition. Of the 7,654 total deaths, 7,054 are confirmed and another 600 are probable under the CDC expanded diagnosis definition. The 21-day reported case average is 9,879.

The ODH also reports cumulative 32,878 hospitalizations, of which 5,283 are intensive care admissions. The state reports a presumed 404,810 Ohioans have recovered after testing positive. Presumed recovered is defined as cases with a symptom onset date of greater than 21 days prior who are not deceased, according to the ODH website.

As of Tuesday, Ohio had conducted 6,952,631 tests. CLICK HERE for a map of testing locations in the state.

In Pennsylvania, 465,134 of the total cases in the commonwealth are confirmed, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, and 44,186 are probable. There are 6,295 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in the commonwealth, of whom 1,264 are in the ICU and 705 on a ventilator.

Pennsylvania also reports 12,890 total deaths.

Of all tests conducted in Pennsylvania, 3,072,305 were reported negative, the department reported Tuesday. With positive cases, 58% have recovered. If a case has not been reported as a death and it is more than 30 days past the date of their first positive test or onset of symptoms, then the person is considered recovered, according to the health department’s website.

The health department reported Mercer County has 4,672 cases, up 97, and 79 deaths with 20,314 negative tests. Lawrence County has 3,294 total cases, 52 new, and 93 deaths, as well as 13,134 negative tests.

The figures are updated daily by the Ohio Department of Health at 2 p.m. and Pennsylvania Department of Health at noon.

For more stories on the coronavirus and its impact on businesses, both locally and nationally, go to our coronavirus news page here.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.