The coronavirus’ spread slightly waned last week in Ohio as the seven-day moving average of newly reported cases dipped below 1,000.
All told, 4,415 Ohioans have died from COVID-19. More than 14,300 have been hospitalized of the more than 137,000 residents who have been infected, according to Sunday data from the Ohio Department of Health.
Nearly 7,000 cases were reported last week.
Since the fall semester began, college-aged adults have driven the new case numbers, state data shows.
At Ohio State University, nearly 2,100 students have tested positive for COVID-19 between Aug. 14 and Sept. 10, according to university data.
In Butler County, the Oxford Police Department cited six men who hosted a house party while one was supposed to be under quarantine, according to a WOIO report.
Butler is one of six red counties, according to the Ohio Public Health Advisory System, indicating very high levels of spread. The others are Summit, Putnam, Mercer, Preble and Montgomery.
About 3.8% of people tested for COVID-19 in Ohio wound up with positive results, according to ODH testing data from Friday. The positivity rate has steadily declined since a July high around 6.5%. Populations with lower positivity rates have a better hold on the scope of the outbreak.
ODH has reported an average of about 22 people dying per day, an average that has held steady since early August.
Earlier this month, the CDC predicted Ohio’s death toll will surpass 5,000 by October.
More than 6.5 million Americans have contracted the virus, nearly 194,000 of whom have died, according to data from The New York Times.
This article was republished with permission from Ohio Capital Journal. For more in Ohio political news, visit www.ohiocapitaljournal.com.