Ohio smashes coronavirus records with 5,000+ new cases, 231 hospitalizations

Credit: Springfield News-Sun

Credit: Springfield News-Sun

Ohio reported more than 5,000 daily cases of coronavirus for the first time, breaking the record set Thursday of 4,961

The state has added more than 4,000 cases per day for the last three days. Of the last four days, three of them have set the daily record.

Ohio added 5,008 cases Friday for a total of 240,178, according to the Ohio Department of Health. There have been 18,269 cases reported since Tuesday.

Ohio also broke the record for hospitalizations reported in one day, with 231. The previous record was set on Oct. 20 with 216.

There have been 20,246 total hospitalizations in Ohio throughout the pandemic. As of Friday, 2,170 COVID-19 patients were in hospitals across the state and 547 were in the ICU. In southwest Ohio, there were 587 hospital patients and 149 in the ICU, according to the ODH.

Twenty-two ICU admissions were added to Ohio’s total Friday, bringing it to 3,991.

Deaths increased by 33 for a total of 5,494.

On Thursday, Gov. Mike DeWine announced that Stephanie McCloud would be Ohio’s next health director. Dr. Amy Acton previously served as the director, helping the state through the early months of the pandemic before resigning in June.

The governor previously tried to fill the position in early September, announcing Dr. Joan Duwve as the new director. However, hours after the announcement DeWine said the Duwve had withdrawn her name from consideration, citing personal reasons.

Lance Himes has served as interim director and will now be the ODH senior deputy. His role will focus on coordinating the release of a COVID-19 vaccine once its available.

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