COVID-19 cases have been on the rise in Cuyahoga County since May, with the virus now showing signs of becoming a seasonal illness, similar to the flu. According to the Ohio Department of Health, data tracking reported cases, hospitalizations, and deaths indicate that while cases are increasing, they have not yet reached the levels seen in past years.
In January 2022, Ohio saw its highest case numbers, with nearly 500,000 cases reported that month alone. However, current case levels remain lower, though public health officials are closely monitoring the situation as new variants continue to emerge.
State health director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff noted that these new variants tend to be more transmissible but generally cause milder symptoms, resulting in fewer hospitalizations and deaths. He added that updated vaccines should provide protection against these variants.
Last year, approximately 17% of Cuyahoga County residents received the updated COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Cuyahoga County Board of Health. With vaccines becoming more widely available, residents are encouraged to check for vaccine availability online.
The state’s COVID-19 reporting dashboard, updated weekly, provides detailed information on recent trends in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, as well as long-term trends dating back to the virus’s emergence in 2020. The dashboard also allows users to view data by age group and other categories.