CLEVELAND — As COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have decreased significantly for two weeks straight, the Ohio Department of Health said that trend has continued.
At the height of the omicron surge, Ohio was reporting more than 20,000 cases per day. At the time, the rate of statewide cases per capita reached 2,200 cases per 100,000 residents. Today, Ohio Department of Health Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff said those numbers have dramatically fallen.
Today, Ohio is averaging around 2,800 cases per day and has had several days with less than 1,000 cases.
The statewide rate now stands at 174 cases per 100,000 cases—that’s more than a 90% drop from omicron’s peak.
Last week, Cuyahoga County, which was the epicenter of the omicron surge, became the first county to fall below 100 cases per 100,000 residents. Since then, eight more northern Ohio counties have fallen below the 100 mark. Geauga, Holmes, Lake, Lorain, Ottawa, Sandusky, Stark and Summit counties join Cuyahoga County.
“That's significant as the 100-case mark is what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers high community transmission,” Vanderhoff said.
Vanderhoff said COVID-19 still has a real presence in Ohio and the current data points towards caution.
“This is all wonderful news, and it's a welcome relief for us. It may be especially meaningful for those in our hospitals who have been working so hard now for nearly two years. Let's keep in mind, however, that while we are steadily headed in the right direction, omicron is not quite done threatening us yet,” said Vanderhoff.
In case you missed the news conference regarding COVID-19 in Ohio, it can be viewed in the media player below:
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