COLUMBUS, Ohio — The coronavirus pandemic appeared to reach its true peak in Ohio this week, with the state Department of Health confirming a record number of hospitalizations related to the disease.
The ODH says 1,122 COVID-19 patients were being treated at statewide hospitals on Tuesday, passing the previous high of 1,103 from late April. Of those more recent patients, 348 were in intensive care units, while 174 were on veltilators.
ODH interim director Lance D. Himes issued the following statement:
"Our case numbers have remained high during the past month. We know there is a lag between when people are infected with the virus and when they start to feel sick and ultimately are hospitalized. Ohioans have worked hard to slow the spread of this disease. However, these numbers are a stark reminder that this virus is very much still with us.
"We must remain vigilant and take every precaution to protect ourselves including staying home when possible, frequent handwashing, wearing masks and social distancing."
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Himes' warnings ring true, as active hospitalizations were at less that 500 back in June. This helps show Ohio's recent coronavirus spike is not solely due to increased testing, as some have claimed, with the positivity rate among those receiving swabs going up as well.
The good news is new and active hospitalizations have mostly plateaued around 1,000 over the last two weeks rather than a continuous steady increase, and the number actually fell to 1,100 even on Wednesday (down 22). Gov. Mike DeWine has been encouraged by the latest trends, but adds the numbers are still high and that they need to start going back down.
For 3News' full coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic, go to wkyc.com/coronavirus