Coronavirus In Ohio: 1,976 New Cases, 58 Deaths

COLUMBUS, OH — As Ohio prepares for looser COVID-19 restrictions, the state again saw a drop in many of its key COVID-19 metrics.

In the past 24 hours, 1,976 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed among Ohioans. Over the past three weeks, the Buckeye State has averaged 2,374 new cases per day.

The drop in cases should serve as prelude to a further decline in COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths, both of which are lagging indicators (meaning declines in cases are reflected only a week or so later in those metrics).

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

• New cases: 1,976.
• New deaths: 58.
• New hospitalizations: 167.
• New ICU admissions: 15.

At least 904,270 Ohioans have contracted COVID-19 and recovered, the Ohio Department of Health said.

Nearly 13.5 percent of Ohioans have received at least the first part of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the state health department. Nearly 7 percent of Ohioans have received both COVID-19 vaccine shots.

As of Friday afternoon, 1.57 million Ohioans had received at least the first shot and 813,569 Ohioans have completed the vaccination process.