Summit County's new COVID cases flat; drive-thru shot clinic to take place Aug. 23
Ohio reported 27,785 new cases of coronavirus in the week ending Sunday, down 7% from the previous week. The previous week had 29,876 new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19.
Ohio ranked 22nd among the states where coronavirus was spreading the fastest on a per-person basis, a USA TODAY Network analysis of Johns Hopkins University data shows. In the latest week, coronavirus cases in the United States decreased 14.2% from the week before, with 781,487 cases reported. With 3.5% of the country's population, Ohio had 3.6% of the country's cases in the last week. Across the country, 13 states had more cases in the latest week than they did in the week before.
However, public health experts warn the actual number of cases is likely much higher because many people aren't testing or not reporting the results of tests they take at home.
What are CDC COVID levels in Summit County?
The COVID-19 community level for Summit County rose from "medium" to “high" in the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maps released on Thursday.
More:Summit moves from medium to high Covid level, per CDC
The CDC data, released weekly on Thursdays, shows that Stark and Wayne counties both moved from "low" to "medium," Portage County remained at "high" and Medina County remained at "medium."
COVID vaccine drive-thru event
As a response to the county COVID level rising to high, Summit County Public Health is hosting a free drive-thru clinic for COVID vaccines on Aug. 23.
The drive-thru event will be held at the health department's West Akron headquarters at 1867 W. Market St. from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Pfizer and Moderna and Novavax vaccine will be offered, in accordance with CDC guidelines.
Novavax, which was approved by the CDC last month, will only be offered as a primary series, the health department said. If you have had a COVID-19 vaccination, you are not eligible to receive Novavax, the department said in a press release.
Walk-ins will be accepted. If a line develops, the health departments asks that people do not stop on the railroad tracks. Masks are required at all Summit County Public Health vaccination clinics.
The drive-thru will be offering Pfizer & Moderna second booster doses per CDC guidelines or four or more months after the date of the first booster dose for the following individuals: people ages 50 and older; ages 12 and older (Pfizer) and 18 or older (Moderna) who are moderately or severely immunocompromised; and patients who received Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine for their first shot and booster.
For those in counties considered "high" for COVID, the CDC recommends wearing a mask indoors in public, staying up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines and getting tested if showing COVID-19 symptoms. Those at high risk for severe illness may want to take additional safety precautions.
How did Greater Akron fare with cases?
In the Johns Hopkins data, Summit County reported 1,073 cases and zero deaths in the latest week. A week earlier, it had reported 1,082 cases and zero deaths. Throughout the pandemic, it has reported 125,846 cases and 1,741 deaths.
Portage County reported 295 cases and zero deaths in the latest week. A week earlier, it had reported 365 cases and zero deaths. Throughout the pandemic it has reported 38,226 cases and 451 deaths.
Stark County reported 653 cases and zero deaths in the latest week. A week earlier, it had reported 689 cases and zero deaths. Throughout the pandemic it has reported 86,966 cases and 1,738 deaths.
Medina County reported 316 cases and zero deaths in the latest week. A week earlier, it had reported 353 cases and one death. Throughout the pandemic it has reported 44,508 cases and 518 deaths.
Wayne County reported 198 cases and zero deaths in the latest week. A week earlier, it had reported 184 cases and zero deaths. Throughout the pandemic it has reported 25,154 cases and 446 deaths.
Across Ohio, cases fell in 58 counties, with the best declines in Montgomery County, with 1,431 cases from 1,781 a week earlier; in Hamilton County, with 1,865 cases from 2,180; and in Clermont County, with 490 cases from 604. ​
>> See how your community has fared with recent coronavirus cases​
Within Ohio, the worst weekly outbreaks on a per-person basis were in Jackson County with 515 cases per 100,000 per week; Pike County with 472; and Gallia County with 458. The Centers for Disease Control says high levels of community transmission begin at 100 cases per 100,000 per week.
Adding the most new cases overall were Franklin County, with 2,914 cases; Cuyahoga County, with 2,857 cases; and Hamilton County, with 1,865. Weekly case counts rose in 30 counties from the previous week. The worst increases from the prior week's pace were in Highland, Erie and Hancock counties.
In Ohio, zero people were reported dead of COVID-19 in the week ending Sunday. In the week before that, eight people were reported dead.
A total of 2,976,027 people in Ohio have tested positive for the coronavirus since the pandemic began, and 39,133 people have died from the disease, Johns Hopkins University data shows. In the United States 92,112,922 people have tested positive and 1,033,556 people have died.
>> Track coronavirus cases across the United States
Ohio's COVID-19 hospital admissions staying flat
USA TODAY analyzed federal hospital data as of Sunday, Aug. 7. Likely COVID patients admitted in the state:
Last week: 2,191
The week before that: 2,222
Four weeks ago: 1,715
Likely COVID patients admitted in the nation:
Last week: 72,801
The week before that: 72,098
Four weeks ago: 67,603
Hospitals in 24 states reported more COVID-19 patients than a week earlier, while hospitals in 24 states had more COVID-19 patients in intensive-care beds. Hospitals in 33 states admitted more COVID-19 patients in the latest week than a week prior, the USA TODAY analysis of U.S. Health and Human Services data shows.
Beacon Journal staff reporter Betty Lin-Fisher contributed to this report. The USA TODAY Network is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data from Johns Hopkins University and the Centers for Disease Control. If you have questions about the data or the story, contact Mike Stucka at mstucka@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Summit County COVID-19 cases flat. Drive-thru vaccine clinic planned
