Coronavirus continues to run rampant in Ohio
Ohio set another daily record for reported COVID-19 cases on Saturday as the coronavirus continued to run rampant through the Buckeye State.
The Ohio Department of Health reported 2,858 Ohioans tested positive, bringing the statewide total to 195,806. It was the ninth time in 10 days that the state reported more than 2,000 new positive tests.
The statistics were included in the state’s daily update of coronavirus deaths, hospitalizations and cases.
Saturday’s reported total of 2,858 positive tests was more than 1,000 cases above the three-week average of 1,802 new cases reported per day. About 4.2 million COVID-19 tests have been administered across the state since the pandemic began in March.
Deaths rose Friday by 22, which is more than the three-week average of 13 new deaths reported per day. So far, the virus has killed 5,206 Ohioans, according to the state.
An additional 140 Ohioans were hospitalized with COVID-19 by Friday. That’s more than the three-week average of 108 new hospitalizations a day, state data shows.
Admissions to intensive care units increased by 23, which is more than the three-week average of 18 new ICU admissions a day. As of Saturday, 1,355 Ohioans remained hospitalized with COVID-19, including 383 in ICUS and 200 on ventilators, according to the state.
Franklin County added two new reported deaths on Saturday and 296 cases across Franklin County for a total of 31,999 cases and 642 deaths, according to the state.
On Friday, Gov. Mike Dewine announced that $419.5 million in federal aid would be distributed to low-income families, small businesses, bars, restaurants, hospitals, colleges, nonprofit organizations and arts groups.
The CARES Act funding includes $125 million in grants to small businesses with no more than 25 employees, $37.5 million to aid restaurants and bars and $50 million for mortgage, rent and utility bills for low-income families. candisky@gannett.com @ccandisky