COVID-19 Transmission 'High' In Lake County

MENTOR, OH — COVID-19 transmission is "high" in Lake County, according to health officials.

The Lake County General Health District reported that there were 1,339 new COVID-19 cases reported during the week of Dec. 4. Over the past 30 days, 92 Lake County residents have been hospitalized because of the virus. During that same time span, 40 residents died due to COVID-19 complications.

Over the past week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said more than 18 percent of all Lake County COVID-19 tests are coming back positive.

Based on the county's health data, approximately 64 percent of residents have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, while 60 percent of residents have completed the vaccination process.

Ohio health officials are closely monitoring both the current COVID-19 surge and the threat of the omicron variant. So far, the variant has been detected in the following states: New Jersey, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, California, Nebraska, Minnesota, Hawaii, Colorado and Utah.

Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff urged Ohioans to get a COVID-19 vaccine because it was the surest way to protect yourself from the virus.