COVID-19 Hospitalizations Climb To 'Concerning Levels' In Ohio

COLUMBUS, OH — Ohio's hospitals are busier than ever battling COVID-19, prompting concern from medical officials across the Buckeye State.

One in 10 hospitalized Ohioans were admitted for COVID-19 treatment, according to the Ohio Hospital Association. One in six patients in intensive care are battling COVID-19.

To put that in perspective, 60 days ago, one in 73 hospitalized Ohioans had COVID-19, while one in 49 patients in intensive care wards were battling the virus.

"With the delta variant, we're seeing people of all ages getting sicker quicker," said Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, director of the Ohio Department of Health. Increasingly younger adults are being hospitalized due to the virus, sharing wards with older Ohioans.

Hospitalizations are up primarily among the unvaccinated, Vanderhoff said. Vaccinations are the safest way to prevent infection by COVID-19 and to stop further stress on the state's hospitals, he added.

Several central Ohio hospitals are facing "significant capacity changes," said Dr. Andrew Thomas, chief clinical officer of the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. He noted that some hospitals are considering delaying elective procedures that require overnight stays.

"This is going to be a difficult road if cases and hospitalizations don't peak soon," Thomas added.

In northern Ohio, hospital occupancy is climbing every day, according to Dr. Robert Wylie, chief of medical operations for the Cleveland Clinic. He noted that many hospital systems are battling staffing shortages, so while there may be beds open and plenty of protective equipment, it's unclear if there is sufficient capacity to care for additional patients.

There is hope COVID-19 levels will plateau and begin to drop, Wylie said, but it's difficult to predict how waves of COVID-19 will play out. "We're going to keep our fingers crossed we don't end up like any of the states in the south," he said.

"We would like everybody to do whatever they can to get vaccinated, but to also do all the things they were doing before: wear a mask, maintain hygiene, keep their distance," Wylie said.

Friday's COVID-19 numbers for Ohio:

• New cases — 4,855
• New hospitalizations — 165
• New intensive care admissions — 21