New Coronavirus Cases Decline In Ohio; Hospitalizations Still Up

COLUMBUS, OH — Ohio confirmed its fewest new COVID-19 cases in three weeks, the state health department announced Wednesday.

The Buckeye State is currently averaging 9,620 new COVID-19 cases per day. Over the past 24 hours, health officials confirmed 5,402 new COVID-19 cases among Ohioans.

However, the Ohio Department of Health revealed it has been battling technical problems in its reporting labs, so Wednesday's total confirmed cases could actually be higher than reported.

While new COVID-19 cases may be on the decline, deaths and hospitalizations related to the virus continue to surge. If cases remain on the decline, it could be a week or more before other metrics begin to decline in Ohio.

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More than 120 Ohioans died from COVID-19 complications in the past 24 hours, the state health department confirmed. Nearly 500 Ohioans entered hospitals for COVID-19 treatment, while 61 Ohioans entered intensive care units.

Here are all of Wednesday's numbers:

• New cases: 5,402
• New deaths: 123
• New hospitalizations: 497
• New ICU admissions: 61

More reading:

• Who Will Get Ohio's COVID-19 Vaccines First?
• Coronavirus Vaccine Scams Target Ohioans
• 'It's Bad': Hospital Over Capacity, And Nurses Have Coronavirus