No confirmed omicron cases in Ohio, but the delta variant is hammering the state

COVID-19 hospitalizations in Ohio are the highest they’ve been since January, before vaccines were widely available, according to state health leaders. And the delta variant is continuing to stress many facilities, especially where vaccination rates are lower than the state’s average, said Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff at a Thursday briefing.

“Higher vaccination rates are associated with lower rates of hospitalizations and deaths," Vanderhoff said.

Dr. Glen Seaman, the Medical Director for the Williams County Health District, says that's what he's seeing on the ground in Northwest Ohio.

“We’ve seen a huge surge in COVID cases, just 230 cases in just the last one week, seven new hospitalizations and two deaths. At any given time, we are averaging probably 10-15 patients in the hospital with COVID. A high 90% of those are unvaccinated individuals,” Seaman said.

According to the ODH vaccine dashboard, 41.6% of Williams County residents are vaccinated. Statewide, the vaccination rate is 53.6%. But when accounting for those ages five and under for whom the vaccines have not been approved, the vaccination rate is 57%. 

[Ohio Department of Health]

Vanderhoff says the state is monitoring the situation in Northern Ohio and could employ the Ohio National Guard if needed. But, he says, skilled medical workers are what's needed and most guard members who have those skills are already working in hospitals or medical centers.

Hospitals in Northern Ohio have been postponing elective surgeries and diverting ambulances, causing patients to be transported to medical facilities that are farther away.

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