COLUMBUS – The Ohio Health Department is reporting another daily spike in coronavirus cases.
Agency data released Monday shows 729 new cases from a day earlier, the largest daily increase since 731 cases reported on May 21. It also follows other sharp increases in daily totals last week.
The daily case count reflects test results received by the Health Department in the past 24 hours. Those tests were typically conducted within the previous 36 hours, though people could have experienced symptoms within the past two weeks.
The state reported 590 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 Monday for a total of 46,127 and 2,735 deaths
Coronavirus cases are rising in about half the states as the nation emerges from weeks of stay-at-home orders and business shutdowns.
There is concern that hard-won progress against the scourge is slipping away because of resistance among many Americans to wearing masks and keeping their distance from others.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert, is testifying Tuesday before a powerful House panel, along with the heads of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration.
An Associated Press analysis of data compiled by Johns Hopkins University finds that new cases are up to more than 26,000 a day. That compares to about 21,000 a day two weeks ago.
Cases surpassed 100,000 in Florida on Monday. Hospitalizations are rising dramatically in Houston. And more than 20% of those tested in Arizona were positive for COVID-19.