Ohio’s COVID-19 cases are rising, but the state’s pandemic strategy hasn’t changed
TOLEDO — For most months of the pandemic, Gov. Mike DeWine has opened his state briefings by listing sources of COVID-19 outbreaks.
He described summer weddings turned COVID-19 hotspots and singled out outbreaks at karaoke nights and on sports teams.
Ohio's COVID-19 cases are back on the rise, but the state's pandemic strategy has shifted to vaccinations, with far less emphasis on analysis of COVID-19 spread.
Trending in the other direction
The prospect of Ohio's post-pandemic reopening is slipping farther out of reach.
Gov. Mike DeWine promised the state could reopen when it reports 50 cases per 100,000 people over two weeks. Four weeks ago, that figure hovered around 135 per 100,000. This week, it rose to 200 cases per 100,000 — four times the state goal.
Unfortunately, hospitalizations are also trending upward.
On March 11, 907 Ohioans were hospitalized with COVID-19. That number rose to 1,305 Thursday.
For the first time since mid-January, an Ohio county has turned "purple" on the state's coronavirus advisory map.
Franklin County — home to Columbus — reported increased utilization of the county's healthcare resources, and based on COVID-19 spread throughout the state, other counties could follow.
In the Valley, 78 new confirmed or suspected cases were reported between Wednesday and Thursday: Mahoning County, 20,822 (+45); Trumbull County 15,521 (+21); and Columbiana County, 8,527 (+12).
'Ticket to freedom'
Regarding the coronavirus variant, which appears to be driving the current coronavirus surge in Ohio, DeWIne said, "It is very much alive and multiplying and moving in Ohio."
In the fight against the pandemic, Ohio must fight offensively and defensively, DeWine said.
His sole advice for combating spread Thursday was "wear a mask." He added mask compliance is about 95 percent in the state's retail establishments.
"Where we can take this on offense is through the vaccine," he said.
More than 36 percent of Ohioans have started to receive the vaccine as of Thursday. More than 71 percent of Ohioans age 65 and older have started to receive the vaccine.
But, the rate falls for younger age groups.
For example, only about 40 percent of Ohioans in their 40s have started to receive the vaccine.
DeWine described the vaccine as "our ticket to freedom," and said, "that, really, is what we have to concentrate on now."
Vaccine news
Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, chief medical officer at the Ohio Department of Health, gave an update Thursday on the state's decision to pause use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine Tuesday due to rare reports of blood clots.
Vanderhoff confirmed the serious side effect is "extremely rare." So far, the vaccine has been linked to severe blood clotting disorders in six women.
One of the women has died; another has been hospitalized in critical condition, according to the New York Times.
The women were aged 18 to 48 and had received their shot 6 to 13 days prior.
"The nation's vaccine safety system responded swiftly, responsibly and transparently," Vanderhoff siad. "They're waiting to gather more data before offering guidance."
DeWine released data Thursday on Ohio's breakthrough cases — COVID-19 infections reported in vaccinated people.
So far, 154 breakthrough cases have been reported in Ohio. Vanderhoff called the figure "incredibly encouraging." He added some cases could have occurred before the people were considered fully vaccinated.
Other news
• According to the latest figures Thursday from the Ohio Department of Health, the state is reporting 1,044,945 confirmed or suspected cases of the coronavirus. There have been 20,822 confirmed or suspected cases in Mahoning County; 15,521 in Trumbull County; and 8,527 in Columbiana County.
• Statewide, the new adjusted COVID-19 death total is 18,917, including 583 in Mahoning County; 459 in Trumbull; and 226 in Columbiana. Mahoning County's 583 reported COVID-19 deaths was eighth among Ohio's 88 counties; Cuyahoga County had the most with 2,060.
• In nearby counties: Stark, 31,296 cases and 894 deaths; Portage, 12,277 cases and 194 deaths; and Ashtabula, 6,436 cases and 164 deaths.
• The Youngstown City Health District will continue with coronavirus vaccine clinics next week with the Moderna vaccine: April 20 and 21 at Congregation Rodef Sholom; April 22 at the Covelli Centre. To schedule an appointment, call 330-502-4276.
• The mass vaccination clinics at the former Dillard's store in the Southern Park Mall in Boardman will continue using the Moderna-produced vaccine, Mahoning County Public Health announced Wednesday. 1,000 appointments are available on April 23 and April 24. To sign up, use the agency's ArmorVax scheduling system at MahoningHealth.org or call 330-270-2855 and select option 9.
• Salem Regional Medical Center will administer the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at three area locations this month: April 21 and 28, Salem Regional Medical Center; April 21 and April 28, Columbiana Family Care Center; April 26, SRMC Primary Care, Damascus. Make an appointment at salemregional DOT com.
• Ohio is the eighth-worst state for children's health care, based on the report by WalletHub, a personal finance website that used 35 metrics to find the most cost-effective and highest-quality health care for children across the 50 states and District of Columbia. Ohio ranked 32nd in the percentage of obese children, 41st in pediatricians/family doctors per capita and 42nd in infant death rate. Ohio ranked 44th while, by contrast, Pennsylvania ranked 19th.
• According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health on Thursday, there were 1,092,852 COVID-19 cases in the state which have led to 25,556 deaths. There have been 8.828 confirmed or suspected cases in Mercer County and 251 deaths; 6,978 cases in Lawrence County and 200 deaths. In Mercer County, 27,464 people have been completely vaccinated; in Lawrence County, 16,592 have been completely vaccinated.
• Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley is collaborating with the village of Sebring, Sebring Local Schools and the Ohio National Guard to host a Traveling Food Pantry distribution at BL Miller Elementary School at 10 a.m. Friday. Recipients' trunks must be open and clear of all belongings, and windows must be rolled up. Recipients are not to exit their vehicle for any reason.
This story was originally published April 16, 2021 at 3:52 AM with the headline "Ohio’s COVID-19 cases are rising, but the state’s pandemic strategy hasn’t changed."