Ohio reports above-average number of new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations Wednesday

The Ohio Department of Health reported totals of new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions Wednesday that each exceeded the 21-day averages for those figures. There were 5,648 new COVID-19 cases reported across Ohio, above the state's 21-day average of 5,456 new cases per day, according to updated data on the state health department's website. Wednesday's 385 newly reported COVID-related hospitalizations exceeded the 21-day average of 252 per day in Ohio, becoming the state's second highest number of coronavirus hospitalizations reported in a single day in the last three weeks. The highest total of the last three weeks came Sept. 28, when 424 new hospitalizations were reported. Intensive care unit admissions for COVID-19 patients also were reported to be high, with the Ohio Department of Health reporting 33 new intensive care unit admissions Wednesday, compared with the 21-day average of 21 per day. According to data provided by the Ohio Hospital Association to the Ohio Department of Health, there were 3,340 COVID-positive patients in Ohio inpatient hospital beds as of Wednesday. With a total of 17,937 inpatients in Ohio hospitals for other reasons, that left 5,084 available inpatient beds across the state, the state's lowest number in at least the last two weeks. Ohio Department of Health vaccination data showed Wednesday afternoon that more than 7,100 residents had been reported as fully vaccinated against COVID-19 within the prior 24 hours. The state now has 50.90 percent of residents fully immunized with all recommended doses, while 54.60 percent of residents have taken at least one dose. State health department data showed Lorain County's cumulative tally of COVID-19 cases increased by 166 Wednesday, and the cumulative count of COVID-19 hospitalizations increased by three. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires just one dose, while the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are recommended for two. Lorain County has a rate of 55.13 percent of residents being completely vaccinated against the virus, and 58.51 percent of residents have received at least one dose.