Delta Variant Surge Continues: 3,300 New Cases, 130 Hospitalized

COLUMBUS, OH — For the second straight day, Ohio confirmed more than 3,000 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours.

On Thursday, 3,272 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed among Ohioans. That's more than double the state's average of 1,546 new cases per day, but down slightly versus Wednesday's 3,393 cases.

In addition to the surge in new cases, 140 Ohioans were hospitalized for COVID-19 treatment in the past 24 hours. That's nearly double the state's average of 78 hospitalizations per day.

News of the continued surge comes as the newly appointed director of the Ohio Department of Health spent the morning urging eligible residents to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

"[COVID-19] is now more contagious than the common cold or the flu. It also appears to be more dangerous. People infected with the delta variant may have a higher risk of pneumonia or death," Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff said.

Read more: 'Troubling' COVID-19 Increase In OH; Officials Urge Vaccination

Ohio is now averaging nearly 200 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents, Vanderhoff revealed Thursday. That's up from 17.6 cases per 100,000 residents in early July. There has been a corresponding increase in hospitalizations, intensive care admissions and ventilator use statewide.

One of Vanderhoff's peers made an impassioned plea for Ohioans to get vaccinated on Thursday. Dr. Steven Burdette, chief of infectious diseases at Wright State University and Miami Valley Hospital joined Vanderhoff during a news conference on Thursday morning.

"I'm sick and tired of losing colleagues. I'm tired of havingdoctors die. I'm tired of seeing respiratory therapists die. I'm tired of seeing nurses die. I'm tired of seeing patient care techs and medical assistants die of COVID. I've lost colleagues, I've lost friends, I've lost peers in this area and across the country. The only way we can stop that from happening is through vaccination," he said.