Hospitalization numbers spike again in Ohio

Ohio continued its run of daily fourfigure tallies of new coronavirus cases on Monday as the surging pandemic has led to the second-highest number of weekly hospitalizations.

An additional 1,236 confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases and 15 more deaths were reported Monday by the Ohio Department of Health.

The number brought the total of coronavirus cases to 76,168 since the virus first surfaced in Ohio on March 9.

Fifteen of the 17 daily COVID-19 case counts in excess of 1,000 — including a record 1,679 on Friday — have come this month.

About 31% of all cases during the pandemic have been recorded during July, as well, with 19 “red” counties placed under mask orders due to “very high exposure and spread” of coronavirus.

Even amid increased testing, the percentage of virus tests returning positive has increased from a recent low of 3.8% during the week of June 7 to the current seven-day average of 6.3%. The positivity rate reported Monday was 6.4% among 18,918 tests.

State officials report that about a fourth of all cases since June have been among those ages 20 to 29, the highest percentage of any age group.

Health experts say younger adults are less likely to become seriously ill from the virus, with the increasing number of hospitalizations apparently largely among older Ohioans.

In another sign of the spread of the highly infectious virus, 743 COVID-19 patients were admitted to Ohio hospitals last week, the second-highest week of the pandemic and the largest number in more than three months.

As coronavirus accelerated during its early sweep across the state, 853 hospitalizations were recorded the week of April 5.

During July thus far, Ohio has recorded an average of 89 hospitalizations a day — nearly 50% higher than June’s average of 60 a day.

Michael Abrams, president of the Ohio Hospital Association, said Monday of the rising number of hospitalizations and infections: “It does cause me concern anytime the number is moving in the wrong direction.”

“We don’t put you in the hospital because you have been tested, we put you in the hospital because you are ill,” Abrams said. “The virus is more present in Ohio than it was a handful of weeks ago.“

About 75% of the state’s intensive care unit and surgical beds are filled with virus and other patients and hospitals have capacity to handle more, he said. That capacity has not changed significantly since May.

Also, unlike early in the pandemic, hospitals have adequate supplies of personal protective equipment and other supplies to handle virus patients, Abrams said.

After 55 hospitalizations were reported Monday — following 42 on Sunday, both numbers smaller than last week’s three-figure days — 1,065 coronavirus patients now are hospitalized, with 318 in intensive care units and 165 on ventilators.

Fifty-eight percent of total hospitalized virus patients have been age 60 or older, followed by 18% in the age 50 to 59 range and 10% in the 40 to 49 age range. Those age 39 and under account for 14% of hospitalizations.

Franklin County, the state leader in infections and deaths, reported an additional 245 cases and one death on Monday to raise its totals to 14,246 and 468, respectively.

Even as new infections and hospitalizations have spiraled in Ohio, deaths have dropped. About 70% of deaths stem from nursing homes and longterm care facilities.

An average of 24 Ohioans died each day in June, a figure that has dropped to 16 a day so far in July. A total of 3,189 Ohioans have died from the virus as of Monday.

On NBC’S “Meet the Press” on Sunday, Gov. Mike Dewine signaled “a lot more counties” could be elevated to “red” status in the state’s virus spread rating system and required to wear masks in public.

Nineteen counties covering about 60% of Ohio’s population, including Franklin and all surrounding counties but Madison, now are rated red and are under mask mandates.

Dewine said a statewide mask order remains an option as coronavirus cases continue to increase. The revised county ratings are scheduled to be released Thursday. rludlow@dispatch.com @Randyludlow