Ohio Confirms More Than 2,000 New Coronavirus Cases In 1 Day

COLUMBUS, OH — Health officials have again confirmed more than 2,000 new COVID-19 cases among Ohioans in a single day.

Over the past 24 hours, there have been 2,148 COVID-19 cases confirmed in Ohio. That's the second-most cases confirmed in a single day since the pandemic began.

Friday's near record numbers are down only slightly from Thursday's record-breaking high of 2,178 new cases.

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COVID-19 numbers tend to depress slightly over weekends, so Ohio could see a temporary drop in new cases, deaths or hospitalizations on Saturday and Sunday. Gov. Mike DeWine has noted that numbers tend to rebound higher on Mondays and Tuesdays.

DeWine has spent the week urging Ohioans to follow masking requirements, but denying he has imminent plans to re-institute a statewide shutdown of any industries. The governor has instead asked counties to cancel pub crawls, art shows or political events planned in coming weeks.

Health officials and DeWine have also said they're seeing less Ohioans wearing masks or following social distancing rules, possibly spurring this new surge in cases.

"These are not times to be complacent or comfortable. It is the time to be vigilant to protect yourself, your family, your friends and your neighbors," DeWine said Thursday.

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

• New cases: 2,148
• New deaths: 16
• New hospitalizations: 86
• New ICU admissions: 15

More reading:

• Ohio Sets New High For Coronavirus Cases; No Plans For Shutdown
• Coronavirus Outbreak 'Likely' To Get Worse In Ohio, Governor Says
• Ohio Crosses Tragic Coronavirus Milestone