Ohio nears 6,000 COVID-19 deaths, over 8,100 new cases as part of incomplete data

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX/WTTE) — The Ohio Department of Health reports 8,133 new COVID-19 cases with 205 more hospitalizations and 12 more deaths since Saturday.

Recently, system errors, backlogs of positive antigen tests that need to be confirmed, and staff shortages due to COVID-19 infections have led to the delay of the daily coronavirus update. Today's update is pending thousands of test results meaning the real number of new cases is likely higher.

The update comes as Ohio has broken its own record for new daily cases and hospitalizations several times in recent weeks.

Saturday's numbers bring the cumulative totals to 351,419 coronavirus cases with 24,423 cumulative hospitalizations, and 5,996 deaths.

Current hospitalizations are at 3,987 as of Nov. 21 after dropping below 600 around Sept. 26.

The positivity rate has also increased. In mid-September, it was 2.7%. As of Nov. 20, it was 13.5%.

State and local leaders urgently warned Ohioans of the severity of the latest wave of the pandemic. Gov. Mike DeWine issued a curfew in an attempt to slow down the rate of infection while preserving businesses' ability to operate. Whereas the spring saw a state-wide shutdown, DeWine likened the curfew to a "slow-down."

Franklin County became the first Ohio county to turn "purple" under the state's public health advisory map. Purple indicates "severe exposure and spread." The City of Columbus and Franklin County also issued a joint stay-at-home health advisory.