The statewide 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew slated to expire Saturday is being extended for another three weeks.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine says health officials are concerned about the impact of the holidays on the number of COVID-19 cases.
"They're not going down... they are plateaued at a very very high level. And we've got to see what happens in regard to the holidays, and if there's an aftermath in regard to the holidays."
The state health department announced over 8-thousand new cases on Wednesday, and 133 deaths. Hospitalizations remain high; there have been 366 new admissions since Tuesday, 36 to intensive care units.
The overnight curfew does not apply to people going to or from work, getting groceries or takeout, or travelling because of a medical emergency. The curfew has been in place since November 19th.
