COVID-19 cases are increasing, and the Ohio counties seeing the biggest increase are the ones with the lowest vaccination rate, .
鈥淲e truly have two Ohios: one where people are safe, and one where they are not,鈥� DeWine said.
Nearly 50% of Ohio's population has started the COVID-19 vaccine. Three Central Ohio counties are higher than the state's average, with Delaware County has 64% of residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine, Franklin County is at 53% and Union County is at 52%, according to Ohio Department of Health data.
There have been 18,662 people hospitalized with COVID-19 since January 1 in Ohio. Of that number, 18,367 hospitalized people hadn鈥檛 been vaccinated.
With more than 98% of people hospitalized for COVID-19 unvaccinated, it鈥檚 far more likely for people to end up in the hospital with COVID-19 if they haven鈥檛 received the vaccine, DeWine said.
The predominant COVID-19 variant in Ohio is the delta variant, which Ohio Department of Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff said is much more contagious.
鈥淒elta makes patients sicker, quicker,鈥� Vanderhoff said. 鈥淒elta spreads like wildfire, and it seeks out anyone who鈥檚 unvaccinated.鈥�
The delta variant reproduces much more quickly inside an infected person, and Vanderhoff said it鈥檚 much more dangerous. People who get infected with the delta variant are more likely to be hospitalized, end up in the Intensive Care Unit, or die, he said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 important for us all to recognize that this virus is not the common cold,鈥� Vanderhoff said.
Both DeWine and Vanderhoff said the vaccines continue to protect against COVID-19 and its variants, and Vanderhoff agreed with DeWine鈥檚 assessment of the vaccination divide in the state.
鈥淒elta has created two Ohios: one Ohio that is vaccinated and very well protected, and another Ohio that is unvaccinated and vulnerable to the ravages of the delta variant,鈥� Vanderhoff said.
DeWine said the vaccine is widely available and free, and he encouraged anyone who is eligible to be vaccinated to get the shot.
With the virus spreading rapidly, DeWine also encouraged everyone to wear masks yet again, even if they鈥檙e vaccinated.
The governor said, however, there are no new plans to bring back mask mandates in Ohio or issue any new health orders.
Children under the age of 12 are not eligible for the vaccine yet, and DeWine emphasized that it鈥檚 important to protect this vulnerable population.
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