COLUMBUS – Ohio health officials continue to express concern about the increase in COVID-19 cases due to the delta variant, and to encourage residents to get vaccinated to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
The rate of infection in Ohio has skyrocketed from 17.5 cases per 100,000 residents a few weeks ago to 194.2 cases Thursday, nearly all due to the highly transmissible mutation of the novel coronavirus.
“COVID-19 is now more contagious than the common cold or the flu,” said Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, the newly appointed director of the Ohio Department of Health.
He cited some encouraging developments on the vaccine front, saying that about 10,000 people per day are getting their first vaccine dose and another 5,000 are completing vaccination process daily.
As of Thursday, 58.8% of all eligible Ohioans had gotten at least one dose of the vaccine and 54.5% were fully vaccinated.
Mask mandate in Columbus city buildings
Mayor Andrew Ginther announced that starting Monday, all employees and visitors to Columbus city buildings must wear masks, regardless of vaccine status.
Earlier this week, the Centers for Disease Control placed Franklin County in the highest level for COVID-19 transmission.
Unemployment filings remain steady
Ohioans filed 10,581 initial traditional unemployment claims during the week that ended Aug. 7, which was 1.5% fewer than the previous week. It was the third straight week and the sixth week out of the last seven that has seen at least 10,000 initial filings, according to data provided Thursday to the U.S. Department of Labor by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
The 143,802 continued traditional unemployment claims was 3% fewer than the previous week and the total number of claims was 4% lower than the week before.
The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell for a third straight time last week, the latest sign that employers are laying off fewer people as they struggle to fill a record number of open jobs and meet a surge in consumer demand.