Ohio Department of Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, MBA, cautioned Ohioans not to get complacent about COVID-19, as the disease continues to cause hospitalizations and deaths across the state.
Although case levels have declined from the peak of the pandemic, an average of 35 Ohioans still die of COVID-19 each week. For the year, the number of Ohioans who have died of COVID-19 is approaching 1,000 (958 as of October 23).
In addition, more than 6,000 Ohioans (6,266) have been hospitalized this year.
“COVID-19 has not gone away, and it remains a very real threat,” Dr. Vanderhoff said. “The virus continues to evolve and can cause severe illness or death, particularly among those who are unvaccinated. As a state, we need to take caution to not let our guard down.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months or older receive the updated 2024-25 COVID-19 shot to protect against severe COVID this fall and winter, along with their yearly flu shot.