Virus numbers stubbornly high in Ohio

As of Friday, another 1,043 Ohioans were diagnosed with the coronavirus.

That’s just a tick above the threeweek average of 1,042 new cases reported per day, according to the Ohio Department of Health. The total number of cases throughout the state now stands at 113,046.

More than 1.93 million COVID-19 tests have been administered across Ohio.

The average positive test rate for Ohioans over the previous seven days fell to 4% as of Wednesday, the most recent day for which data is available, according to the state Health Department. The last time the average positive rate fell that low was June 14, when it was 3.9%.

An additional 26 deaths from COVID-19 were reported Friday, which is above a three-week average of 22 new deaths reported per day, state data shows. Ohio has lost 3,955 people to the virus since the pandemic began in March.

Another 104 Ohioans were hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Friday. That’s more than the most recent three-week average of 92 new hospitalizations a day, according to the state.

Twenty more people were admitted to intensive care units by Friday, which is more than the three-week average of 15, according to the health department.

Franklin County remains one of the hardest hit of Ohio’s 88 counties. Franklin County has reported 20,316 cases and 551 deaths so far, state data shows.

Cuyahoga County has the secondhighest number of cases at 14,774 and the most deaths with 552. Hamilton County has the third-highest number of cases with 10,437 while Lucas County has the third-most deaths with 337, according to the state.

An additional 26 deaths from COVID-19 were reported Friday, which is above a three-week average of 22 new deaths reported per day, state data shows. Ohio has lost 3,955 people to the virus since the pandemic began in March.

Gov. Mike Dewine did not host a briefing on the virus Friday. But his administration was expected to release guidance later for performing arts groups to resume activities. mfilby@dispatch.com @Maxfilby