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New COVID-19 Cases More Than Doubled From Week to Week in Ohio County

By From Staff Reports 2 min read
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 -- The total of new COVID-19 cases in Ohio County skyrocketed between last week and the week before, more than doubling between the two weeks.

The Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department announced 502 new COVID-19 cases between Dec. 26 and Sunday. The total the week prior to that was 212 cases.

Cases among children in Ohio County also jumped from 38 cases among those under age 18 two weeks ago to 58 cases last week. The COVID caseload last week put Ohio County in red on the Department of Health and Human Resources COVID-19 alert map, which means that, when Ohio County students return to school this week, masks will be mandated for them in school buildings.

Ohio County also reported one new COVID-related death last week.

The Marshall County Health Department reported 138 confirmed new COVID cases, 43 probable cases and one COVID-related death between Dec. 23 and this past Wednesday. According to the latest information on the DHHR COVID dashboard, Ohio County has reported 5,571 confirmed cases, 1,854 probable cases and 129 related deaths since the pandemic began. Marshall County has reported 4,345 confirmed cases, 1,775 probable cases and 133 related deaths since the pandemic began.

Of the four Northern Panhandle counties, only Hancock isn't red, the highest-risk category on the COVID alert map. Hancock is orange, the second-highest risk category. Hancock County has an infection rate of 47.60 cases per 100,000 residents and a percent positivity of 7.75.

Brooke County has an infection rate of 40.37 cases per 100,000 residents and a percent positivity of 8.34. Ohio County has an infection rate of 57.61 cases per 100,000 residents and a percent positivity of 13.67. Marshall County has an infection rate of 46.79 and an infection rate of 14.73.

Starting at /week.