USA: COVID-19 numbers expected to rise before schools reopen
Several states across the country saw a surge in COVID-19 cases over the summer, just before school started.
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Summer is coming to an end, but COVID-19 cases in Ohio are not.
The state’s weekly average rose from around 5,000 in early August to over 7,000 last week, largely due to the KP.3.1.1 variant currently dominant in the United States.
Other culprits in the continued rise in cases include the LB.1 variant, a member of the Omicron family. However, according to the Ohio Department of Health, there is no evidence that these variants cause more severe disease.
More: Governor Mike DeWine tests positive for COVID again, Ohio sees rise in case numbers
What are the current COVID-19 numbers in Ohio?
The state health department reported 8,352 cases during the week of Aug. 15-21, a 13% increase from the 7,347 cases reported the previous week.
In May, a total of just over 3,800 cases were reported, but in June the number almost doubled, when 6,472 cases were reported. Then in July the number almost tripled to well over 18,000.
In total, there have been over 21,000 cases so far in August.
COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths also increased slightly, although the total number of cases is only a fraction of the peak numbers of the pandemic. For comparison, over 109,000 cases were reported in August 2021.
However, the state Department of Health said COVID continues to pose “a very real health threat” and that “every increase in cases underscores the importance of keeping vaccinations up to date, as it remains the best way to prevent severe illness from COVID.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older receive the latest COVID-19 vaccine, which the Food and Drug Administration only approved on August 22. Vaccinations with this vaccine could begin as early as September.
Samantha Hendrickson is The Dispatch’s medical and health reporter. Reach her at [email protected].
