• State health officials are urging residents to get their bivalent COVID-19 booster to protect them from developing severe illness from newer omicron subvariants of the virus.
Only 1.6 million Ohioans and 8,600 people in Allen County have received a bivalent booster, or updated vaccine, since the shots became available in September, Ohio Department of Health data show.
Meanwhile, ODH estimates that 1.2 million Ohioans age 65 and older are unvaccinated or not up to date with their boosters, putting them at increased risk for serious illness.
ODH Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff said in a press release Wednesday that an average of 2,500 Americans and 90 Ohioans are still dying from COVID each week, despite the overall improvement in cases, hospitalizations and deaths compared to the previous two winters.
Vanderhoff said the bivalent boosters provide a “much-needed boost” of protection for those who were previously vaccinated, as the immunity generated by vaccines can wane over time, particularly with age.
“Based on the numbers, we have not given ourselves every advantage that we could,” Vanderhoff said. “Many of these deaths are, sadly, preventable.”
• Allen, Auglaize, Hardin, Putnam and Van Wert counties remain at high risk, according to CDC community level ratings.
The latest CDC data show an estimated 36 new hospital admissions per 100,000 people in Allen County in a seven-day period, equal to the previous week. The percentage of staffed inpatient beds occupied by patients with COVID illness has declined from 8.1% to 7.4%.
• There were five additional deaths attributed to COVID-19 reported in the five-county region in the last seven days, including two in Allen County, two in Auglaize County and one in Van Wert County, according to the Ohio Department of Health.
• Allen County Public Health will continue its influenza and COVID-19 vaccination clinics from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Mondays and Fridays at the health department, 219 E. Market St., Lima, through February. The clinic will be closed on Monday, Jan. 16, and Monday, Feb. 20.
Allen County
Cases ` 33,110 ` +136
Deaths ` 504 ` +2
Recovered ` 32,060 ` +213
Auglaize County
Cases ` 13,901 ` +70
Deaths ` 197 ` +2
Recovered ` 13,445 ` +90
Hardin County
Cases ` 8,589 ` +27
Deaths ` 167 ` 0
Recovered ` 8,330 ` +51
Putnam County
Cases ` 9,687 ` +64
Deaths ` 163 ` 0
Recovered ` 9,367 ` +39
Van Wert County
Cases ` 8,049 ` +24
Deaths ` 159 ` +1
Recovered ` 7,820 ` +53
Ohio
Cases ` 3,321,463 ` +13,895
Deaths ` 41,033 ` +105
Recovered ` 3,233,780
Recovered defined as symptom onset more than 21 days prior, not deceased. Only verified deaths included now.
Source: coronavirus.ohio.gov
Updated 2 p.m. 1/5/23
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Get the shot
Ohio’s online vaccination scheduling portal shows who’s eligible and which pharmacies, health departments and mass vaccination clinics are closest to your home or workplace. Visit gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov to schedule your appointment.
Who’s eligible?
•All adults and children age six months and older.
Share your information at [email protected].
