Ohio COVID-19 Vaccine Shipments Delayed By Winter Weather

COLUMBUS, OH — Some COVID-19 vaccine shipments to Ohio from Moderna and Pfizer were delayed due to severe winter weather, Gov. Mike DeWine announced Tuesday.

Heavy snowfall blanketed central and northern Ohio on Monday evening and Tuesday morning. Dozens of counties issued snow emergencies and implemented travel advisories due to wintry conditions. The inclement weather did more than cancel school days — it also led to problems shipping COVID-19 vaccines.

"We're continuing to monitor the weather and the shipments," DeWine said. "We're expecting to see a slowdown in shipments and that will mean a slowdown in the number of people who can be vaccinated in Ohio."

Direct vaccine shipments could be delayed one or two days for providers doing large-scale vaccinations. Smaller shipments from the RSS Warehouse will be delayed 2 hours.

The winter weather also led to delays and cancellations in vaccine clinics scheduled for Tuesday.

"Some vaccine providers have canceled appointments due to snow emergencies, but many are continuing to vaccinate. If you haven’t heard from your provider and are concerned about if your appointment is still scheduled, please contact your provider or visit their website," the governor said.

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Tuesday's COVID Numbers

Ohio's COVID-19-related hospitalizations continued to decline on Tuesday. In the past 24 hours, 104 Ohioans have entered hospitals for COVID-19 treatment. That's down versus the state's rolling average of 165 hospitalizations per day.

As of Tuesday, approximately 1,500 Ohioans are hospitalized due to COVID-19.

Gov. Mike DeWine lifted the state's curfew last week, citing declining stress on Ohio's hospitals and sinking COVID-19 case numbers. Ohioans should continue to follow social distancing guidelines and health protocols, but progress is being made in reducing the virus' threat, the governor said.

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

• New cases: 2,206.
• New deaths: 59.
• New hospitalizations: 104.
• New ICU admissions: 10.

At least 867,627 Ohioans have contracted COVID-19 and recovered, the Ohio Department of Health said.

More than 11 percent of Ohioans have received at least the first part of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the state health department. As of Tuesday afternoon, 1.3 million Ohioans had received at least the first shot and 481,339 Ohioans have completed the vaccination process.

More reading:

• Statewide Curfew Lifted In Ohio As Coronavirus Cases Drop
• Ohio Underreported 4,000 COVID-19 Deaths
• Advocacy Groups Demand COVID-19 Vaccine For Essential Workers