DeWine: Nearly 12K New COVID Cases, Numbers Overwhelm System

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – A dramatic surge in new COVID-19 cases in Ohio can be attributed “at least in part, maybe wholly” to two labs that reported two days’ worth of numbers, said Gov. Mike DeWine

The Ohio Department of Health reports a record 11,885 new cases of COVID-19 over the past 24 hours, far surpassing the 8,500 average the state had been seeing. The governor allowed the number “may be artificially high” because of two labs – Mercy Health and Cleveland Clinic – had two days’ worth of numbers yet to report.

“The high volume of these cases is now overwhelming the system,” DeWine said. On Friday, the state reported a record 8,808 new cases.

The state also reported 24,705 total hospitalizations – up more than 50% from two weeks ago – with 4,454 of those being admissions to intensive care. The Ohio Department of Health also reports 6,020 deaths, or 24 over the past 24 hours.

The state’s ZIP code map was not updated at 2 p.m. with the rest of the daily figures.

In Pennsylvania, the Department of Health reports 314,401 cases of COVID-19, up 18,615 from Friday. The commonwealth also reported 3,459 current hospitalizations and 9,870 total deaths.

In Mahoning County, the ODH reports 7,068 cases with 663 hospitalizations and 299 deaths. The county has had 1,707 cases over the past two weeks, according to Ohio’s ZIP code case map. The 44514 ZIP code, primarily Poland, has the most cases over the past two weeks at 252, followed closely by 44512, primarily Boardman, with 217. The 44515 ZIP code, Austintown, has 210 cases in the past two weeks.

The ODH reports 5,159 cases in Trumbull County with 499 hospitalizations and 144 deaths. There have been 1,376 cases in the past two weeks, led by the 44483 ZIP code with 180 cases, the 44410 ZIP code, Cortland, with 167 cases, and the 44484 area code, with 162 cases.

In Columbiana County, the ODH reports 3,395 positive cases along with 287 hospitalizations and 97 deaths. There have been 692 cases over the past two weeks, according to the state ZIP code map, led by 43920 – Calcutta – with 162 cases, and 44460 – Salem – with 134.

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. Franklin County is the only Purple level county, the highest threat level, indicating severe exposure and spread and recommending that resident leave their homes only for supplies and services.

Of the total cases reported by Ohio Department of Health, 344,054 are confirmed. ODH reported 19,250 probable cases based on the CDC’s expanded case definition. The state also reports 6,020 total deaths, which breaks down to 5,635 confirmed deaths and another 385 probable deaths under the CDC expanded diagnosis definition.

The ODH also reports 24,705 hospitalizations, of which 4,454 are intensive care admissions. The state reports a presumed 230,678 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 Monday, Ohio had conducted 5,718,750 tests. CLICK HERE for a map of testing locations in the state.

On Monday, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 314,401 total cases, with 3,459 people hospitalized and 380 on a ventilator. The commonwealth reported 9,870 COVID-related deaths. Of the total cases, 293,367 are confirmed.

Of all tests conducted in Pennsylvania, 2,705,170 were reported negative. With positive cases, 63% 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 2,198 cases, or 212 new cases since Friday, and 39 deaths – up six – with 17,497 negative tests, while Lawrence County has 1,872 total cases, up 96 from Friday, and 64 deaths – three since Friday – as well as 11,326 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.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.