Ohio reports 9,424 more COVID-19 cases; six-day coronavirus update for Wednesday, Nov. 23

Ohio dipped below the benchmark of 10,000 COVID-19 cases this week, dropping from 10,170 last week to 9,424. However, this good news has a slight caveat.

The Ohio Department of Health typically releases updated weekly COVID-19 data on Thursday. However, because of Thanksgiving, it released the data on Wednesday, counting one fewer day than usual and artificially suppressing numbers.

The best estimate we have is the weekly averages. Last week, the seven-day average for new COVID-19 cases was 1,453 per day over seven days. This week, the average is 1,571 cases over six days, implying cases may be rising.

Next week’s update will again be on Thursday and will have 8 days, likely including inflated numbers accounting for the extra day. The update on Dec. 8 will once again have comparable statistics to the other weeks in the year.

Regardless, Ohio has been over 10,000 cases per week every week, except for brief dips, since the beginning of May. Total weekly case numbers last dipped below 10,000 for two weeks in October.

The total number of reported COVID-19 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic was 40,466, and the total COVID-19 case count since early 2020 has now reached 3,227,759.

A total of 7,529,599 Ohioans have received at least one vaccination, representing about 68% of Ohioans aged 5 and up.

Since the beginning of 2021, there have been 25,423 deaths among people reported as unvaccinated and 1,422 deaths among those who reported being fully vaccinated. And there have been 80,497 hospitalized Ohioans who were not fully vaccinated and 6,005 fully vaccinated people hospitalized.

Wednesday’s six-day recap

* Total reported cases: 3,227,759 up 9,424.

* Total reported deaths: 40,466, up 75.

* Total reported hospitalizations: 130,362, up 383.

* Total reported ICU admissions: 14,505, up 28.

Nov. 17 recap

* Total reported cases: 3,218,335 up 10,170.

* Total reported deaths: 40,391, up 134.

* Total reported hospitalizations: 129,979, up 414.

* Total reported ICU admissions: 14,477, up 37.