Coronavirus in Ohio Saturday: 1,987 new cases, 83 hospitalizations

COLUMBUS (WCMH) — The Ohio Department of Health has released the latest number of COVID-19 cases in the state for Saturday.

As of Saturday, April 17, a total of 1,052,099 (+1,987) cases had been reported since the pandemic began, leading to 54,870 (+83) hospitalizations and 7,631 (+12) ICU admissions.

Back to purple: Franklin County returns to level 4 on Ohio’s latest COVID-19 map 

In its most recent update, the Department of Health reported an additional 74 deaths, bringing the state total to 18,991. The state is updating the total number of deaths only after death certificates have been processed, usually twice a week.

DeWine reported that Franklin County was returning to purple, or level 4, the highest level of disease spread in the community as determined by seven indicators by the Department of Health. It had been at level 3, or red, since December, the last time it was purple.

The designation is another sign of a new wave in the pandemic. In addition, the daily increase in hospitalizations and ICU admissions represented three-week highs. And DeWine spoke from Toledo, where he attended a vaccination clinic at the University of Toledo. That part of Ohio has seen an increase in cases based on its proximity to Michigan, where COVID-19 variants are causing a surge.

Ohio schools report 1,600 new COVID cases this week, following statewide upward trend 

The state’s rate of cases per 100,000 residents over a two-week period has climbed to 200.0. Weeks ago, DeWine set a benchmark of 50 for lifting the pandemic health orders in the state. After case numbers initially declined, they have gone up the last three weeks.

Vaccination in Ohio is open to those 16 and older.