COLUMBUS (WCMH) — The Ohio Department of Health has released the latest number of COVID-19 cases in the state.
As of Saturday, Nov. 21, a total of 343,286 (+7,863) cases have been reported in Ohio since the pandemic began, leading to 5,984 (+29) deaths and 24,218 (+260) hospitalizations.
Saturday’s new daily cases data is the third-highest reported since the pandemic began in March.
A notice on the state’s coronavirus dashboard says the data is incomplete with thousands of reports pending review.
The 8,808 new cases in the past 24 hours reported Friday represents a record high.
DeWine said Thursday that the 24-hour case change of 7,787 for that day was probably not accurate and lower than the actual number. The Department of Health has been double-checking the results of antigen tests for COVID-19, and a backlog has developed since Monday.
DeWine said 12,000 such tests are being double-checked, with most of them expected to be confirmed. It was unknown when those test results might be added into the daily totals.
A 21-day statewide curfew, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., went into effect Thursday night.
Franklin County moved up to level 4 on the updated advisory map and is the only county at purple this week. On Wednesday, Franklin County and Columbus officials announced a stay-at-home advisory for 28 days, beginning at 6 p.m. Friday.
Seventy-two of Ohio’s 88 counties are at level 3, or red. The remaining 15 are at level 2.