COLUMBUS, Ohio (WJW) — The Ohio Department of Health says, as of Thursday, there have been 105,426 total confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases in the state, resulting in the deaths of 3,755 residents, since the pandemic began. It’s presumed that 82,310 have recovered.
The total number of hospitalizations due to the virus is now 11,901 people. The median age of those Ohioans getting coronavirus is still 42 years old.
In the last 24 hours, 1,178 cases, 21 deaths, 122 hospitalizations and 22 intensive care unit admissions were reported to the state health department.
Governor Mike DeWine held a news briefing Thursday afternoon to update Ohioans on the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
During that briefing, the state released the latest map for the Ohio Public Health Advisory System. Medina county has dropped from a Level 3 to a Level 2. Cuyahoga and Erie counties remained at Level 3.
Ohio counties with the most coronavirus cases:
- Franklin: 19,124
- Cuyahoga: 13,999
- Hamilton: 9,917
- Lucas: 5,544
- Montgomery: 4,544
Ohio counties with the most coronavirus deaths:
- Franklin: 533
- Cuyahoga: 519
- Lucas: 324
- Hamilton: 260
- Mahoning: 258
DeWine, accompanied virtually by Dr. Curt Daniels of Ohio State and Nationwide Children’s hospital, addressed concerns regarding heart health and COVID-19.
According to Daniels, medical experts are concerned about the recent diagnoses of mild myocarditis related to COVID-19. He says this could cause dangerous heart problems or even cardiac arrest.
Most of data regarding this condition is from hospitalized patients and reportedly suggests 20% of coronavirus patients in hospitals, who Daniels referred to as Ohio’s sickest patients, are having cardiac problems.
Daniels also said health officials have concern for athletes as high levels of exercise increase the risk of cardiac-related issues.
Similarly, DeWine announced Thursday that he has been coordinating with school officials, coaches and the Ohio High School Athletic Association to devise a plan for Ohio’s school athletics.
He revealed some details about the plan, saying there would be restrictions, but says more information will be coming on Tuesday.
Also during the press conference, DeWine outlined several steps Ohio is taking to address health disparities in the Black community.
The minority health strikeforce established by Ohio in April will release its final report Thursday, and as a result, DeWine has issued a plan to implement the suggestions in the report to fight health disparities among the Black community.
“It is wrong that in Ohio today, the overall life expectancy of African-American Ohioans is four years shorter than a white Ohioan,” DeWine said. “It’s wrong that African-American Ohioans have a higher rate of heart disease, higher rates of hypertension and diabetes.”
The taskforce’s final report is expected to be released on the state’s coronavirus website sometime Thursday.
