As Ohio reports 4,117 new coronavirus cases, both cases and hospitalizations up sharply over last summer – cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio Ohios COVID-19 case rate is rocketing sharply reaching a six-month high of 4,117 cases reported on Tuesday alone - and shows no sign of leveling off, according to data from the Ohio Department of Health.

While last year the rolling seven-day average for new cases was trending slightly downward by this point of the summer, this year cases have spiraled upward.

The seven-day average of cases per day tripled from 1,095 a day at the end of July to 3,296 on Tuesday. At the same point last year, on Aug. 24, the average was 941 cases a day.

Hospitalizations are also rising. The Ohio Hospital Association reported 2,095 coronavirus patients in its preliminary count for Tuesday, the first time it was over 2,000 since Feb. 8.

The number of coronavirus patients in Ohio hospitals on Tuesday topped 2,000 for the first time in months, and exceeds last summer's levels.

Here are a few more comparisons in the seven-day COVID-19 case rate and hospitalizations that illustrate the pandemics course in Ohio:

The rise in cases is happening even though COVID-19 vaccines have been widely available for months.

About 51% of Ohioans of all ages have gotten at least one shot of vaccine, and 60% of Ohioans 12 and up have started the vaccination process, according to ODH.

Rich Exner contributed to this story.

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As Ohio reports 4,117 new coronavirus cases, both cases and hospitalizations up sharply over last summer - cleveland.com