COLUMBUS, Ohio — Does it seem like everybody around you is sick? Has the crud invaded your household?
Respiratory viruses are spreading throughout Ohio as the holidays quickly approach -- and Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff gave an update on where the state stands when it comes to COVID, flu and more.
Among his top focus? The importance of getting vaccinated.
COVID
Dr. Vanderhoff's update comes as COVID cases have been on the rise in recent weeks throughout the state with Ohio’s three-week average listed at 13,482. The latest data reported last Thursday showed 14,395 new cases.
"This season's increase is a bit less than what we saw last year," Dr. Vandheroff said.
In November, Ohio reported 50,233 cases. That's down when compared to 54,311 in November of 2022 and more than 170,000 in 2021. He also noted that COVID hospitalizations are currently averaging about 450 a week, which is down when compared to about 600 at this point last year. Those numbers were between 2,000 to 3,000 at this point in 2021.
"What I do find concerning, though, is the low number of Ohioans who have received the updated COVID vaccine that became available in September," Dr. Vanderhoff said. "To date, about 1.1 million Ohioans have received it. That's about 9.3 percent of us."
FLU
"Thankfully, while flu is also on the rise, our influenza numbers remain lower than our five year average for this time of the year," Dr. Vanderhoff said. "As with COVID-19, vaccines are important protection. For the flu, we encourage everyone to get a vaccine."
RSV
"For RSV, there are two different shots available -- a vaccine for expectant mothers and a preventative antibody shot for infants," Dr. Vanderhoff said.
HOLIDAY GATHERINGS
“Be mindful of protecting others," Dr. Vanderhoff said. "This is the time of year for large indoor gatherings of family and friends. If you’re not feeling well. If you have a cough or congestion or other symptoms -- even without any sort of official test or diagnosis of some kind -- please consider staying home.”
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