DeWine may link lifting of health orders to vaccinations

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COLUMBUS – The incidence of new cases of COVID-19 in Ohio fell this week to under 190 per 100,000 residents over the preceding two weeks.

Coping With Coronavirus: Information on vaccinations, the latest data, helpful advice for parents, and links to resources for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio

The 185.8 cases per 100,000 population was a decline from 200 cases on April 13 but still higher than the rate a little over a month ago when Gov. Mike DeWine promised that health restrictions would be lifted if the rate fell to 50 cases per 100,000 residents over a two-week span.

The incidence of new cases of COVID-19 in Ohio fell to 185.8 per 100,000 population over the two weeks that ended April 20. (Ohio Dept. of Health)

As the number of vaccinated Ohioans increases, DeWine said on Wednesday that he might follow the example set by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and tie the easing of precautionary measures to the number of vaccinations instead of just the rate of spread.

“These figures are so intertwined, so related, that, if you hit a certain level of vaccines, you’re going to hit that level of 50,” he said during his weekly pandemic briefing. “We know that every time you pull another person out who can’t get [COVID-19], you’re making it tougher on that virus.”

More than half of all U.S. adults, and almost 58% in Ohio, have received at least one dose of the coronavirus.

But administering the shots remains a challenge.

Demand for the coronavirus vaccine has fallen off in some places around the United States to the point where some counties are turning down new shipments of doses.

That is true in Ohio, but DeWine says the state is adding providers, including primary-care doctors, to help make use of any surplus.

“If you’re a primary-care physician, you think you can get shots in arms of your patients who have not had these shots, let us know,” he said.

Ohioans can look for open appointments online or call 833-4-ASK-ODH to book an appointment over the phone.

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The number of new cases of the coronavirus remained below 2,000 for the sixth straight day Thursday as the state reported 1,724 cases were added to increase the total number of cases to 1,016,119.

There were 1,245 patients being treated for COVID-19 in Ohio, with 123 new admissions, bringing the total number of hospitalizations to 55,446.

The state’s seven-day positivity rate was 4.6%.