Ohio Department of Health has new dashboard to track infectious diseases

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - The Ohio Department of Health announced Thursday that respiratory viruses are still circulating in the Tri-State, but they are on the decline.

“Last week, there were 2,719 COVID cases reported statewide. That was a 40% drop from what was reported just two weeks earlier. COVID hospitalizations and deaths have also been decreasing. Influenza activity is also beginning to decline in Ohio,” said Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, director of the Ohio Department of Health.

However, since Ohio has had summer surges of COVID-19 during the past two years, he suggested that everyone make sure their vaccines against it are up to date.

"Adults 65 and older should receive an additional updated dose of the COVID vaccine that became available in September, as long as it's been at least four months since someone has had their last shot or three months since they've had a COVID infection,” Dr. Vanderhoff said.

He announced the state department of health also has a new dashboard for residents to find out about infectious diseases circulating in the state.

It lets users go to specific illnesses, such as COVID-19, and see everything from cases to hospitalizations based on age and gender.