COLUMBUS, Ohio -The number of new coronavirus cases was 7,526 on Tuesday, according to the Ohio Department of Health, bringing the total to 682,570.
The number of people who have died with COVID-19 increased by 151 to 8,722.
The state follows the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s definition of a “case,” which includes those diagnosed through genetic PCR or antigen tests, or people diagnosed in a clinical setting -- experiencing symptoms who are linked to a confirmed COVID-19 case, among other criteria.
Tuesday’s case count is below the 21-day rolling average of 8,217. Deaths were above the 21-day average of 77. Just over 71% of the state’s hospital beds were occupied with coronavirus and other patients.
There were 1,110 COVID-19 patients in intensive-care units across the state. Combined with patients with other conditions, 76% of ICU beds were occupied Tuesday. COVID-19 patients were using 706 ventilators. Combined with other patients, 38% of ventilators were being used.
Positive tests for the coronavirus stood at 15.5% on Sunday, the most recent day for a positivity rate. The seven-day rolling average positivity was 13%.
In vaccinations, the state reported 71,625 people, less than 1% of the population, have received the first of two shots. No one is fully inoculated yet, because they must wait three to four weeks between the first and second shot, and the state only received the first shots Dec. 14.
A Department of Health spokeswoman said recently said that a lag of a couple of days existed in the reporting of vaccinations, meaning more people have likely gotten shots.
At this point, only health-care workers and residents of nursing and other congregate homes are receiving vaccines.
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