Coronavirus cases on the rise in Ohio, result of Delta variant
Jul. 21—COLUMBUS — Members of the Ohio Department of Health on Wednesday said coronavirus cases in the state are climbing, a surge they say is driven by the Delta variant.
Chief Medical Officer Bruce Vanderhoff said during a news conference that, after a long period of decline, coronavirus cases are now steadily increasing in Ohio. An increase of 744 cases was reported on Tuesday, more than double the daily average over the last three weeks. Additionally, the two-week average of cases per 100,000 people has more than doubled to 37.8 percent, from 17.6 percent on July 7. Hospitalizations have also increased by 148 in less than two weeks.
In Lucas County, there have been a total of 116 confirmed coronavirus cases this month, 72 of which occurred after the Delta variant was first confirmed by the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department on July 13. Health Commissioner Eric Zgodzinski said the "slight increase" in confirmed cases is on trend with the state. The department is looking at various possibilities and local hospitals are preparing for what may come.
Dr. Vanderhoff noted that the Delta variant is more contagious than the more widely known Alpha variant, also considered a variant of SARS. The latter ravaged the country this past year and led to more than 20 million Americans infected.
According to Rochelle Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Delta variant accounts for 83 percent of infections in the United States.
"The good news is that our vaccines continue to offer strong protection against the Delta variant," Dr. Vanderhoff said. "COVID-19 is now, essentially, a vaccine-preventable illness."
Mr. Zgodzinski expressed similar sentiments at a Wednesday afternoon press conference. He said that vaccines were "extremely important" in the fight against the Delta variant. Mr. Zgodzinski added that the department will introduce vaccine incentives in the near future that will target different age groups in Lucas County.
Currently, 20 to 29 year-olds in Lucas County have the highest percentage of confirmed coronavirus cases at 27.59%.
Dr. Vanderhoff addressed vaccine hesitancy, underscoring that younger Ohioans represent the greater number of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. His colleagues, Amy Edwards and Patty Manning-Courtney, also spoke about vaccine protection for children.
Dr. Edwards, who is the Associate Medical Director of Pediatric Infection Control at UH Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospitals, said that adults should get vaccinated for themselves and to ensure safety to children who aren't old enough to get the vaccine.
"Kids are not immune," Dr. Manning-Courtney, the Chief of Staff at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, said. "I feel, truthfully, we are one variant away from this being worst for kids."
Less than half of the state's population has received one dose or has been fully vaccinated.
First Published July 21, 2021, 11:27am
