Coronavirus Cases, Deaths Up In Ohio, Hospitalizations Leveling

COLUMBUS, OH — Ohio's new COVID-19 cases and deaths continued to climb Friday.

In the past 24 hours, officials confirmed 9,535 new COVID-19 cases among Ohioans. That's down from Thursday, but higher than the state's rolling average of 7,464 new cases per day.

At least 82 Ohioans died from COVID-19 complications in the past 24 hours. That's higher than the state's average of 75 COVID-19 deaths per day. Since the start of the pandemic, more than 9,500 Ohioans have died because of the virus.

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Hospitalizations and intensive care admissions related to COVID-19 leveled off on Friday. The health department reported that 318 entered hospitals for COVID-19 treatment in the past 24 hours. That's nearly identical to the state's rolling average of 316 hospitalizations per day.

Here are all of Friday's COVID-19 numbers:

• New cases: 9,535
• New deaths: 82
• New hospitalizations: 318
• New ICU admissions: 34

Ohio is preparing to move into Phase 1B of its vaccine distribution plan.

Phase 1A has largely consisted of frontline health care workers, first responders and patients and staffs in nursing homes. Gov. Mike DeWine said many hospitals should begin finishing Phase 1A in coming weeks, allowing the state to move on to Phase 1B.

Phase 1B of the vaccine distribution will begin Tuesday, Jan. 19, making vaccinations available to Ohioans 80 or older. DeWine said the state wants to protect the most vulnerable and that includes Ohioans who are most likely to die if they contract the virus.

More reading:

• COVID-19 Vaccines To Be Available To Ohioans 80+ Starting Jan. 19
• 'US Lost Control': In Shadow Of Capitol Siege, Virus Overwhelms
• COVID-19 Vaccines: 2.2 Million Ohioans To Get Shots In Next Phase