County health: 17 new COVID deaths
Seventeen COVID-19 related deaths were reported by Licking County Health Department as part of their COVID-19 data this week.
According to data from the agency, LCHD 35 individuals died from COVID-19 in September and five have died from the virus in October. September had the highest number of deaths reported from the disease since January, 38 deaths were reported
In total, 132 Licking Countians have died from COVID-19 in 2021 and 266 have died as of Wednesday.
Licking County Health Commissioner Chad Brown explained 17 COVID-19 deaths for Licking County were reported on Wednesday, which doesn't mean 17 died this week, but rather they received reports of that many deaths.
Brown said the agency doesn't have any data to determine how many of the individuals who died were vaccinated or unvaccinated.
LCHD said for data on COVID-19 deaths, they are individuals with a last known residence address in Licking County and for those who have COVID-19 listed anywhere on their death certificate as a cause of death.
In terms of case numbers and hospitalizations, Brown said their agency is seeing the numbers begin to decline. Brown noted Licking County reported 50 hospitalizations two weeks ago and reported 40 this week.
Licking County's COVID-19 cases are also beginning to decline from week-to-week, which Brown said is in line with what the state is seeing. Ohio Department of Health reported 6,310 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday.
LCHD reported 854 new COVID-19 cases in Licking County and 40 hospitalizations for a total of 1,222 active COVID-19 cases.
The agency said about 89,584 of all Licking County residents, or about 50%, have started vaccination.
Brown said their agency continues to recommend vaccinations, and encourage those who are sick to stay home and those diagnosed with COVID-19 stay home. Brown said they also recommend that individuals in school buildings wear masks.
LCHD is also offering clinics for those who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 booster shot.
For more information about COVID-19 data and LCHD'S booster clinics, visit their website at Lickingcohealth.org.