Ohio
COVID-19 cases jump 2,000, to more than 10,000, as Ohio pushes new vaccine: Coronavirus update for Thursday, Aug. 29
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The number of new COVID-19 cases in Ohio took a large leap this week, from 8,352 last week to 10,418 this week, the state reported Thursday.
This week saw the weekly case number climb over the 10,000-mark for the first time since January. It also was the 13th straight week that the case number has increased, continuing an upward swing that began in early June.
At the same time last year, the state reported just over 7,000 cases.
The best protection against COVID-19 is the updated vaccine for the 2024-2025 season, said Ohio Department of Health director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff said in a Thursday news conference.
The updated, one-shot vaccine, which is formulated to be effective against the variants currently in circulation, is available in some Ohio locations, he said. People also can find a vaccine shot at vaccines.gov locator.
“We expect availability to increase as we move into September,” Vanderhoff said.
At least 1,384,882 Ohioans have received the updated one-dose COVID-19 vaccine, an increase of 382 people from the prior week, the state reported. This represents 11.8% of the state’s population.
The total COVID-19 case count since early 2020 in Ohio has reached 3,807,492.
- Previously: Aug. 22 Ohio COVID-19 update
There were 252 Ohioans newly hospitalized in the last week, raising the total since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020 to 153,282. Five people were admitted into the ICU, raising the total since 2020 to 15,865.
The state health department reported an additional 32 deaths from COVID-19, raising the total to 44,146. Death reporting sometimes lags by weeks.
COVID-19 tests are still free for people enrolled in Medicaid, Vanderhoff said. The federal government recently announced that it will once again provide free COVID-19 tests, starting in late September. Americans will be able to order up to four tests per household at this link.
“Tests are an important tool, not just so you can protect others, but also in determining whether you might benefit from treatment,” Vanderhoff said.
Gov. Mike DeWine, who announced he had COVID-19 on Aug. 20, Is back to his normal work schedule after treatment with an antiviral medication, Vanderhoff said.
Aug. 29 recap
Total reported cases: 3,807,492, up 10,418.
Total individuals with updated vaccine: 1,384,882, up 382.
Total reported deaths: 44,146 up 32.
Total reported hospitalizations: 153,282, up 252.
Total reported ICU admissions: 15,865, up 5.
Aug. 22 recap
Total reported cases: 3,797,074, up 8,352.
Total individuals with updated vaccine: 1,384,500, up 640.
Total reported deaths: 44,114, up 21.
Total reported hospitalizations: 153,030, up 216.
Total reported ICU admissions: 15,860, up 7.
Julie Washington covers healthcare for cleveland.com. Read previous stories at this link.