Coronavirus: Daily cases dip below 6,000 as ODH reports technical issues

Free walk-up coronavirus testing was available the old Greene County career technology Center near Xenia Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020, in partnership with Public Health Greene County. STAFF/MARSHALL GORBY

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Free walk-up coronavirus testing was available the old Greene County career technology Center near Xenia Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020, in partnership with Public Health Greene County. STAFF/MARSHALL GORBY

Ohio’s daily coronavirus case count dipped below 6,000 for the first time in weeks Wednesday. However the Ohio Department of Health reported technical issues that may have resulted in lower case numbers.

The state added 5,409 cases Wednesday, bringing its total to 584,766.

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Nearly 500 hospitalizations were recorded for a total of 33,375.

There are 5,143 total COVID-19 patients in Ohio hospitals, with 1,254 in ICUs and 845 on ventilators.

In southwest Ohio, there are 1,222 coronavirus patients hospitalized, according to ODH. The region has reported 1,200 patients or more for the last eight days.

COVID-19 patients account for 16.9% of the region’s hospital beds, with 27.62% (1,997 beds) available. COVID-19 patients also account for 22.88% of ICU beds in southwest Ohio. ICUs have 20.64%, or 239, beds available.

The state has reported 7,777 total deaths throughout the pandemic, with 123 reported in the last 24 hours.

ICU admissions increased by 61 for a total of 5,344.

Ohio’s seven-day average positivity rate dipped to 14.5% as of Monday, according to ODH.

Ohio is expected to receive more than half a million doses of the coronavirus vaccine by the end of the year, with an estimated 420,000 arriving before Christmas, Gov. Mike DeWine said Tuesday.

This week, the state received 98,475 vaccines from Pfizer. The doses went to hospitals throughout the region, including Springfield Regional Medical Center, and will be distributed to health care workers.

Next week, local health departments should receive their first shipment

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