Ohio's Coronavirus Cases, Hospitalizations Hold Steady

COLUMBUS, OH — Many of Ohio's COVID-19 numbers held steady on Friday.

In the past 24 hours, officials confirmed 9,684 new COVID-19 cases. That's in line with the state's rolling average of 9,812 new cases per day.

COVID-19 hospitalizations, deaths and intensive care admissions were also level on Friday, according to state health department data. But if this is a plateau, the numbers are unsustainable, according to Gov. Mike DeWine.

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Every county in Ohio is considered "high-incidence" for COVID-19, according to CDC data.

"We're seeing counties move to the Watch List and then purple. We're seeing worsening trends in cases and healthcare indicators, and then a return to red when these all plateau at a very critical level," the governor said.

While vaccinations have begun in some Ohio hospitals and nursing homes, that's not a reason for Ohioans to abandon social distancingn protocols.

"Until the vaccine is widely available to us all, we must continue to be extremely cautious and safe," DeWine said on Twitter.

Here are all of Friday's numbers:

• New cases: 9,684
• New deaths: 74
• New hospitalizations: 398
• New ICU admissions: 47

The Ohio Department of Health estimates that 426,525 Ohioans have recovered after testing positive for COVID-19.

More reading:

• Ohio To Receive Fewer COVID-19 Vaccines Than Previously Estimated
• Who Will Get Ohio's COVID-19 Vaccines First?
• Coronavirus Vaccine Scams Target Ohioans