COLUMBUS – Ohio continues to struggle with a surge in COVID-19 cases, fueled by the delta variant, and sluggish vaccination rates.
The average number of new cases of COVID-19 in Ohio over last three weeks is over 4,200 per day and the rate of infection has soared to 472.4 cases for every 100,000 residents statewide.
The state reports that 61% of eligible Ohioans have started the vaccination process but less than 50% of total population is fully vaccinated.
White Castle sweetens the pot
Columbus-based White Castle is giving away $100,000 in cash prizes to employees who get a coronavirus vaccine.
Under the rules of the “VAX-a-Thousands” contest, any of the burger chain’s 10,000 workers who submits proof of at least one COVID-19 vaccine will be automatically entered to win one of 200 cash payments of $500 being awarded during the month of September.
Free tests available at libraries
Ohioans can get free, rapid COVID-19 tests at many local libraries around the state.
The Ohio Department of Health bought 2 million Abbott BinaxNOW rapid at-home tests and has made nearly 160,000 of them available for libraries to provide to their communities.
The tests are packaged with a telehealth session to oversee administration and result reporting.
During August, 246 library locations provided more than 53,000 tests statewide, according to the department.