COVID rates are rising dramatically and hospitalization rates of unvaccinated Ohioans are climbing as well, according to new data from the Ohio Department of Health.
Ohio reported 7,087 new cases on Thursday, which was over the 7,000 mark for the second straight day. The 21-day average is 3,929. Hospitalizations continue to rise with 240 reported on Thursday, the 21-day average is 154.
Ohio Department of Health Director, Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, said in July, Ohio counties averaged about 17 cases of COVID per 100,000 people over a two-week period. Now, it’s an average of 400.
“And some are upwards of 1,000. And when you look at the counties with the highest case rates per 100,000, they are primarily counties with lower vaccination rates," he said.
Vanderhoff and some doctors working in major hospitals said patients with COVID are younger, including kids, and many have no underlying health conditions.
Dr. Hector Wong of Cincinnati Children's said a year ago, kids were getting infected with COVID weren't getting really sick. This year hospitals are seeing patients with COVID who are younger and many have no underlying health conditions.
Wong said hospitals are currently under-staff with healthcare workers and with COVID and RSV cases on the rise as well as flu season on the horizon, it could cause problems for Ohio's pediatric hospitals.
The doctors said the facilities are nearing capacity. And if and when they reach that point, some who need health care might be turned away.
Vanderhoff said the delta variant is causing people to get sicker quicker. He said nearly all of those who are hospitalized or die from COVID are unvaccinated at this point.
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