COVID-19 cases in Ohio continue to grow, with 6,508 reported in the past 24-hours. And the latest surge, the "third wave" of the virus, appears to be picking up steam.
A week ago, the state saw over 4,000 cases in one day for the first time. Three days later, the number passed the 5,000 barrier. Tuesday's total is nearly 1,000 cases over the previous record set Saturday, as Ohio Governor Mike DeWine prepares to address the state Wednesday night.
The number of hospitalizations is also soaring; 386 admissions in the past 24-hours, including 39 in intensive care units. There are a record number of 2,747 people currently hospitalized with the coronavirus, and regional medical directors warned Monday that hospitals are facing the twin pressures of more patients and medical staff who are themselves becoming ill. While statewide capacity remains ample, smaller hospitals and those in rural areas are starting to feel the staffing pinch.
DeWine cancelled this afternoon's regular coronavirus press conference and announced that he will be making a public address to Ohioans. WCBE will carry that address live Wednesday at 5:30pm. The governor hinted last week that he may call for new mandates as the coronavirus threat continues to grow.
There have been 261,482 cases of COVID-19 and 5,547 deaths reported since the beginning of the pandemic eight months ago.
Warm temperatures have delayed the spike in cases predicted as cold weather forces people into closer proximity indoors. While announcements about advances in COVID-19 vaccine development have been welcome news, health officials caution widespread availability may be as much as a year away. Last week Ohio health officials warned that 56 counties are in the red on the states color-coded public health risk map, and all 88 counties are considered "high incidence" byt the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
