Ohio’s COVID numbers are higher than they’ve been in two months, as the number of new vaccinations inches up only slightly.
For the first time since June, total cases have climbed above 50 cases per 100,000 residents, which was the threshold set in March by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine to end the statewide mask mandate. The state reported 77.4 cases per 100,000 residents on Thursday. Last week that mark was 45.8 cases per 100,000
Confirmed cases dropped a bit on Thursday, the day after the state hit the highest number of confirmed cases seen since May 7, when only about a third of the state’s total population was vaccinated.
Just over 45% of the total population is fully vaccinated now.
The mask mandate ended in May, before that mark of 50 cases per 100,000 residents was reached. That was also before a state law took effect that would have allowed lawmakers to vote to end the mandate.
DeWine has said there’s “no appetite” to reinstitute a mask mandate, and signed a law that takes effect in October banning mandatory COVID vaccines.
