COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — COVID-19 cases continue to increase in the Buckeye State, as the Ohio Department of Health reported 3,797 new cases Sunday, bringing the week’s total near 40,000.

As of Sunday, Nov. 21, ODH reports a total of 1,642,867 (+3,797) cases, leading to 84,132 (+59) hospitalizations and 10,553 (+3) admissions into the ICU.

This Monday-Sunday, ODH reported 38,379 cases, the third consecutive week-to-week increase after cases declined for six straight weeks coming off a peak in the Delta variant wave of 48,580 weekly cases.

The 21-day case average now sits at 4,645, up from 3,935 a week ago. Sunday was the 15th-straight day that average has increased, the longest streak since September.

A total of 6,687,081 people — or 57.21% of the state’s population — have at least started the vaccination process, according to ODH data, an increase of 14,496 from the previous day. 

ODH reported 250 deaths Friday, bringing the total to 26,063. The state is updating the number only after death certificates have been processed, usually twice a week.