Ohioans Should Consider 'Staying Home' This Spring

COLUMBUS, OH — Ohioans should not ignore COVID-19 health and safety precautions as spring weather warms the Buckeye State.

"We suggests Ohioans consider staying home this spring. If you choose to travel, we recommend you first get vaccinated," said Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, chief medical officer for the Ohio Department of Health.

Ohioans who do travel should wear a mask whenever they're in public, or whenever they're spending time with people outside their household. Ohioans should also maintain social distance in public and wash their hands frequently while traveling, Vanderhoff said.

"Limit your activities when you return and get tested promptly if you show any symptoms of COVID-19," Vanderhoff added.

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

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

• New cases: 1,501.
• New hospitalizations: 67.
• New ICU admissions: 5
• Total deaths: 18,382.

Gov. Mike DeWine said Ohio's new COVID-19 cases have plateaued after weeks of declining case numbers. The state's COVID-19 case rate is 146.9 cases per 100,000 residents, approximately level with where it was last week.

DeWine said he would remove all COVID-19 restrictions once Ohio hit a case rate of 50 cases per 100,000 residents.

Ohio's COVID-19 hospitalized patient count has also ticked upward over the past two weeks, with 936 people now hospitalized due to the virus.

"We have to continue to work on this. On defense, we have to wear masks. On offense, it's vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate," DeWine said.

To facilitate vaccine distribution, Ohio has launched its first statewide vaccine registration tool, which can be accessed online.