Coronavirus hospitalizations hit record high in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The number of people hospitalized in the state because of the coronavirus has hit a new high, the Ohio Department of Health reported.

The agency said Monday that 1,154 people are hospitalized with COVID-19 related symptoms, with 158 on ventilators. That’s the highest hospitalization figure since July.

Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said Monday he was caught off-guard by the recent spike in cases and pleaded again for Ohioans to wear masks and keep themselves socially distanced.

The Health Department reported 1,837 confirmed and probable cases on Monday, well-above the 21-day case average of 1,515.

The numbers reflect a recent and continuing spike in cases, including a record high 2,178 cases reported on Oct. 15. Ohio has reported more than 183,000 confirmed and probable coronavirus cases including 5,075 deaths.