Delta Variant Spurs Another Summer Record For Cases In Ohio

COLUMBUS, OH — As companies increasingly require employees to wear masks again while working, Ohio's revived COVID-19 surge continues to spike.

On Tuesday, 2,326 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed among Ohioans, the state health department announced. That's a new record for the summer and comes as the delta variant of the virus becomes the dominant strand in Ohio.

Hospitalizations related to the virus were also record-breaking for this summer, with 159 Ohioans being admitted for COVID-19 treatment. Eighteen Ohioans also entered intensive care units because of COVID-19.

While the pandemic worsens in Ohio, state officials continue to urge residents to get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible, if they're eligible. On Sunday, the Buckeye State passed an important milestone, with more than 50 percent of all residents having now received at least one COVID-19 vaccine.

Gov. Mike DeWine and Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, chief medical officer of the Ohio Department of Health, have indicated the revived pandemic is splitting Ohio in two: people vaccinated and protected against the virus, and people increasingly at risk of severe illness.