Coronavirus Hospitalizations, Deaths Continue Climb In Ohio

COLUMBUS, OH — More than 120 Ohioans died from COVID-19 complications in the past 24 hours, the state health department announced.

While the state's tally of new COVID-19 cases has plateaued in recent days, deaths and hospitalizations related to the virus continue to climb. On Wednesday, 121 Ohioans died from COVID-19 complications, and 454 entered hospitals for COVID-19 treatment.

Over the past three weeks, Ohio has averaged 76 COVID-19 deaths per day and 320 COVID-19 hospitalizations per day. Ohio Department of Health (ODH) officials have warned that Ohio's hospitals are straining under the surge of patients.

Don't miss the latest updates from health and government officials in Ohio on the coronavirus. Sign up for Patch newsletters and news alerts.

It's still too soon to tell if there will be a surge in new cases because of the New Year's holiday. However, Ohio's current COVID-19 hospitalization level is three times what it was on Nov. 1 and seven times what it was on Oct. 1.

"Our hospitals are extremely busy and we haven't yet begun to see what the impact may be from the holiday. We have a lot of road ahead and we can't forget COVID-19 safety," said Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, chief medical officer for ODH.

Here are all of Wednesday's COVID-19 numbers:

• New cases: 7,814
• New deaths: 121
• New hospitalizations: 454
• New ICU admissions: 43

The Ohio Department of Health estimates that 605,474 Ohioans have contracted COVID-19 and recovered from the virus.

More than 175,00 Ohioans have started the COVID-19 vaccination process, as of Wednesday afternoon. Vaccine distribution should begin for new groups of Ohioans in the next month or so, Gov. Mike DeWine indicated Tuesday.

More reading:

• COVID-19 Vaccines: 2.2 Million Ohioans To Get Shots In Next Phase
• U.K. Coronavirus Variant Will 'Undoubtedly Reach Ohio'
• Healthy 25-Year-Old Who Took Every Precaution Dies Of Coronavirus