Lorain County reports over 300 new COVID cases (VIDEO)

More than 300 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Lorain County on Tuesday, bringing the total to 6,475. Inside the county's ZIP codes, 44035 — encompassing Elyria, Amherst Township and Sheffield — has the highest number of cases with almost 1,200. North Ridgeville's Zip code follows with 811. When adjusted for population, Avon Lake jumps to the top with cases per 100,000 people. LaGrange's ZIP code — 44050 — follows close behind even though it's only had about 157 cases so far. Of the new local cases, 296 were confirmed by testing while the other six cases met the health department's criteria for being labeled "probable." Lorain County Public Health did not report any new deaths as a result of the virus, leaving the county's cumulative tally of deaths at 89. Across the state cases, hospitalizations and deaths continue to rise. After more than 11,000 new cases Monday — reflecting a lag in diagnoses due to an overwhelmed system, DeWine noted that there were 8,604 new cases in the previous 24 hours — still higher than the 21-day daily average of 6,941. There were 98 deaths in the preceding 24 hours, more than the 21-day average of 35, and 364 hospitalizations, including 29 intensive care admissions, in the last 24 hours, over the 21-day average of 260 and 27, respectively. The hospitalizations are concerning because of the strain it puts not just on the hospital but on the caregivers, DeWine said. "We may have the real estate, but we may not have the staff," said Dr. Matthew Colflesh of Trinity Health in Steubenville. DeWine also noted a couple points that were cause for optimism, saying that unemployment had fallen in a month from 8.3 percent to 5.6 percent. He also talked about how the state should be getting its initial doses of vaccinations next month, which will be distributed to front line health care workers. "The period between now and the first of the year is vitally important," he said. DeWine said the updated map and travel advisories will be issued tomorrow due to the holiday Thursday. Ohio is nearing the point where it could be the subject of a travel advisory, which occurs when there is 15 percent positivity for COVID-19. Ohio is currently around 14 percent, DeWine said. "That puts into perspective where we are at this point," he said. Ohio could see the first batches of a vaccine by Dec. 15, DeWine said. Higher priority would go to health care workers, nursing home residents, teachers and school staff members and those who are considered high risk.