New COVID Cases Top 3,000, Trumbull Moves to Red

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – For the first time since tracking coronavirus data, the Ohio Department of Health reports more than 3,000 new cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours.

ODH reported 3,590 new cases since Wednesday, bringing the total reported cases to 208,937. The state also reported 18,800 hospitalizations – up 194 from Wednesday – with 3,816 of those being admissions to intensive care. The current 21-day reported hospitalization average is 124. The Ohio Department of Health also reports 5,275 deaths, up 19 from Wednesday.

The previous daily record for new cases was set Oct. 24, when 2,858 were reported. More than half of the state’s reported cases have come since the beginning of August.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reports 202,876 total cases, up 2,202 from Wednesday. The commonwealth also reported 1,229 hospitalizations, up 42 from Wednesday, as well as 8,762 deaths, up 44.

In Mahoning County, the ODH reports 3,960 cases – up 50 from Wednesday – with 572 hospitalizations and 287 deaths.

The ODH reports 2,451 cases in Trumbull County, up 37 from Wednesday, with 392 hospitalizations and 136 deaths. In Columbiana County, the ODH reports 2,227 positive cases – 23 new cases – along with 241 hospitalizations and 88 deaths.

Mahoning and Trumbull counties are rated Red in the state’s color-coded Public Health Advisory System, indicating very high exposure and spread. Columbiana County has an Orange rating, indicating increased exposure and spread.

Only two counties remain at the Yellow level – Noble and Monroe in southeastern Ohio – which signifies active exposure and spread. Those counties represent just one-fifth of 1% of the state’s total population.

Trumbull was moved up to the Red level Thursday because of “significant increased community transmission,” according to the Trumbull County Combined Health District.

“Over the period of 10/19/20 – 10/25/20, Trumbull County experienced a new case increase of 199 cases compared to 89 cases the previous week. In addition, our case rate has increased from 25.76 per 100,000 through the end of September to 125.27 per 100,000 as of 10/28/2020, thus triggering that indicator in the altering system,” according to a statement from the department. “Equally important, is the 7-day increase that we also experienced during that timeframe. At the end of September our 7-day case rate went from 2.71 to 13 by the end of October. 95.5% of Trumbull County’s cases are directly attributed to community spread, and not long term care facilities.”

The department has investigated outbreaks at various mass gathering settings, including weddings, religious activities and school settings. However, the bulk of the viral transmission is occurring “from family member to family member through private family gatherings,” the department reports.

Of the total cases reported by ODH, 196,864 are confirmed. ODH reported 12,073 probable cases based on the CDC’s expanded case definition. The state also reports 5,275 total deaths, which breaks down to 4,963 confirmed deaths and another 312 probable deaths under the CDC expanded diagnosis definition. The 21-day reported case average is 2,127.

No new hospitalization numbers were reported at 2 p.m. As of Wednesday, there have been 18,606 hospitalizations and 3,790 intensive care admissions.

The state reports a presumed 165,302 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.

Thus far, Ohio has conducted 4,353,017 tests. CLICK HERE for a map of testing locations in the state.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reports 202,876 total cases, with 1,229 people hospitalized and 127 on ventilators. The commonwealth reports 8,762 COVID-related deaths. Of the cases reported, 193,611 are confirmed.

Of all tests conducted in Pennsylvania, 2,282,828 were reported negative. With positive cases, 77% 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).

Mercer County has 1,073 total cases – up 21 from Wednesday – and 27 deaths with 14,398 negative tests, while Lawrence County has 903 total cases – up 24 – and 34 deaths, as well as 9,393 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.