This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. The sample was isolated from a patient in the U.S. (NIAID-RML via AP)

WHEELING — New COVID-19 cases made a significant leap between this past week and the week before in Ohio County, nearly doubling the seven-day total.

The Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department on Sunday announced 223 new positive COVID-19 cases between Nov. 28 and Sunday. Last Sunday, the department announced a seven-day total of 122 new positive cases.

Cases among children also skyrocketed. There were 42 cases among children under 18 in Sunday’s report, compared to just 16 in that age bracket in the previous report.

Ohio County also saw four COVID-related deaths between Nov. 28 and Sunday.

In Marshall County, the health department announced 76 new confirmed positive cases, 47 probable cases and four COVID-related deaths between Nov. 24 and Dec. 3.

According to the Department of Health and Human Resources COVID-19 dashboard, Ohio County has recorded 5,090 confirmed positive cases, 1,708 probable cases and 119 related deaths since the pandemic began. Marshall County has recorded 4,111 confirmed positive cases, 1,681 probable cases and 122 related deaths since the pandemic began.

Three of the four Northern Panhandle counties were red, the highest-risk category on the DHHR COVID-19 alert map. Brooke, Ohio and Marshall counties all were saddled with that designation, while Hancock County was orange, the second-highest-risk category.

Hancock County had an infection rate of 51.07 cases per 100,000 residents and a percent positivity of 6.02.

Brooke County had an infection rate of 57.30 cases per 100,000 residents and a percent positivity of 9.15.

Ohio County had an infection rate of 62.44 cases per 100,000 residents and a percent positivity of 11.77. Marshall County had an infection rate of 48.66 cases per 100,000 residents and a percent positivity of 11.95.

COVID testing will be held in Ohio County Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the former Ohio Valley Medical Center campus at 2000 Eoff St. in Wheeling. COVID vaccination clinics will be held Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Highlands, and two school vaccination clinics will be held as well – today from 4-6 p.m. at Madison Elementary and Tuesday from 4-6 p.m. at Warwood School.