744 Ohio COVID-19 Cases Reported As Fears Of Delta Variant Rise

COLUMBUS, OH — More than 740 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the past 24 hours in Ohio, the state health department announced.

Over the past three weeks, Ohio has averaged approximately 350 new cases per day. Tuesday's new caseload more than doubles that average.

One of the factors likely driving the resurgence of COVID-19 in Ohio is the much-discussed delta variant of the virus. Health officials and Gov. Mike DeWine have described the delta variant as both more contagious and possibly more deadly than other strains of COVID-19.

Hospitalizations related to COVID-19 were also up on Tuesday, with 61 Ohioans entering hospitals for treatment. That's nearly double the state's daily average of 32 COVID-19 hospitalizations.

The three COVID-19 vaccinations currently available to Ohioans have all shown effectiveness against the delta variant, said Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, the chief medical officer for the Ohio Department of Health.

"Our current vaccines are effective against the delta variant," Vanderhoff said during a news conference last week. "The bad news is that if you are partially or not vaccinated you are at a greater risk of hospitalization."

However, less than half of Ohio's population is vaccinated against COVID-19. As of Tuesday, 48 percent of Ohioans had received at least part of a COVID-19 vaccine, while 46 percent had completed the vaccination process.