Spike in COVID-19 infections pushes Ohio above benchmark, Governor Mike DeWine once ready to repeal health orders

CLEVELAND, Ohio – A recent spike in COVID-19 infections caused by the more transmissible delta variant has pushed Ohio above the benchmark Governor Mike DeWine used earlier this year to determine when it could lift the coronavirus state health ordinances.

Ohio has recorded an average of 77.4 new COVID-19 infections per 100,000 population over the past two weeks, according to data updated Thursday by the Ohio Department of Health. The previous week’s update showed that the state averaged just 46 new infections per 100,000 population.

Earlier this year, DeWine set a benchmark of 50 infections per 100,000 population for when it would lift all state health orders against coronaviruses, including face mask warrants. He changed course on May 12 when he announced in a special address that he planned to repeal all health decrees on June 2. The state ended up hitting the 50 per 100,000 target around the same time, anyway, with new infections. below the benchmark during the two-week period ending June 4.

The rate was as high as 845.5 per 100,000 in mid-December.

The most recent ODH data shows that 61 of Ohio’s 88 counties exceed 50 infections per 100,000 population. Those crossing the threshold in northeast Ohio include Cuyahoga County and each of its surrounding counties: Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, and Summit.

Despite the recent spike in infections, DeWine said he was not interested in imposing more mask requirements. A spokesperson for DeWine’s office reiterated Thursday that approval of COVID-19 vaccines has changed the math because they are the most effective method to prevent the spread of the virus.

State officials are now focused on increasing the number of Ohio residents who are vaccinated; just over 49% of the people of Ohio had received at least one dose of the vaccine as of Thursday, and about 46% are fully vaccinated.

However, local authorities might take a different approach. Toledo-Lucas County Health Department announced Thursday that it now recommends everyone, including those who are fully vaccinated, to wear a face mask indoors.

The updated ODH data is a different measure than that used by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine areas of high transmission of COVID-19. The CDC considers an area to be high transmission if its infection rate is greater than 50 per 100,000 population over a one-week period, rather than the two-week period used by ODH.

The CDC recommended on Tuesday that in areas with high transmission, even fully vaccinated people should wear a face mask indoors.