Stark sees COVID-19 hospitalizations rise as Northeast Ohio leads state surge

Sam Zern, The Repository
·5 min read

Health officials are warning of a winter surge of COVID-19, as hospitalization rates in Northeast Ohio rise to levels not seen since January.

More people were hospitalized in Stark County on Monday than any time since the beginning of this year. According to state data, 20 Stark residents were admitted to hospitals with COVID-19 that day. The last time that many hospitalizations were reported in Stark hospitals was Jan. 21.

The Ohio Hospital Association is reporting 1,191 COVID-19 patients in hospitals in the Akron, Canton and surrounding areas. Statewide, 3,888 Ohioans were in the hospital with the virus on Dec. 1, surpassing the recent fall surge and echoing last year's winter.

Unlike last year, however, staff shortages and health worker burnout could make the strain on hospitals more difficult.

"Our fear much like when we were sitting here this time last year, is if these trends continue through the month of December into January, we will be at a point where the hospitals will not be able to take care of all the patients we need to take care of," Dr. Andy Thomas, chief clinical officer at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, said Thursday during an Ohio Department of Health news conference.

Spike in Northeast Ohio

Much of the hospitalization spike is concentrated in Northeast Ohio, with 1 in 4 hospital patients testing positive for COVID-19 in Akron, Canton and surrounding regions.

The region is also seeing the state's highest incidence of new COVID-19 cases. Health officials could not say why Northeast Ohio in particular is surging, but emphasized that the virus hits unvaccinated parts of the state the hardest.

"Currently, Aultman Hospital remains at high capacity overall, with 74 COVID patients currently hospitalized," a hospital spokesperson said. "Like other health systems across the country, we’re waiting to learn more about the omicron variant and what effect it may have in the communities we serve."

Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital and the Stark County Health Department could not be reached for comment.

The increasing hospitalization rates are not unexpected. Health officials have been warning for weeks that the cold weather and holiday season would bring people close together and indoors, exacerbating the spread of COVID-19.

Plus, new vaccinations have plateaued in recent weeks, with the county vaccination rate for people hovering in the mid-50%, and just 61% of the eligible population in the state vaccinated.

"While someone who's fully vaccinated may in some instances still catch COVID-19, they are far more likely able to weather that case at home, rather than ending up in a hospital, or on a ventilator, or in the obituary pages," Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff said.

Related: COVID-19 booster shot demand in Ohio outpaces first doses

The rising hospitalizations come as national attention turns to the newly identified omicron variant of COVID-19. The variant is not yet present in Ohio, and the severity and transmissibility of omicron is yet to be seen, but state officials say that it is likely on the horizon.

While there is still a lot to learn about the variant, officials continue to emphasize that vaccinations are the best way to ward of the potential future threat.

Reach Sam Zern at szern@cantonrep.com or 330-580-8322. On Twitter at @sam_zern.

Gear up for the surge: Where to get vaccines, boosters & test kits

COVID-19 vaccines are available to Ohioans ages 5 and up and can be found at health departments in Stark County and other providers, which can be found at https://gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov/. Individuals ages 18 are eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot six months after finishing the initial series.

Alliance Health Department

  • Booster clinic: Dec. 8, 9 to 11 a.m. at Alliance Senior Center. Attendees are required to register by calling 330-238-3133.

Canton City Health Department

  • Adult vaccination clinic: Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Malone University East Campus, 333 25th Street, NW, Canton, OH 44703. Appointments must be scheduled at https://gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov/.

  • Pediatric vaccination clinic (ages 5 to 11): Wednesdays, 3 to 6:15 p.m. at Malone University East Campus, 333 25th Street, NW, Canton, OH 44703. Appointments must be scheduled at https://gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov/.

Stark County Health Department

  • Moderna booster clinic: Mondays, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Whipple-Dale Center, 2950 Whipple Ave. Nw. Appointments must be made through ArmorVax.com or by calling 330-451-1681.

  • Pfizer booster clinic: Fridays, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Whipple-Dale Center, 2950 Whipple Ave. Nw. Appointments must be made through ArmorVax.com or by calling 330-451-1681.

  • Pediatric vaccine clinic (ages 5 to 11): Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Stark County Health Department, 7235 Whipple Ave. NW. Appointments must be made through ArmorVax.com or by calling 330-451-1681.

  • All ages vaccinations: Saturdays, 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Stark County Health Department, 7235 Whipple Ave. NW. Appointments must be made through ArmorVax.com or by calling 330-451-1681.

At-Home Test Kits

Stark Library is distributing free, at-home COVID-19 test kits at its drive-up locations. Individuals can receive up to three tests at a time depending on supply levels.

  • North Branch, 189 25th Street NW, Canton.

  • Jackson Community Branch, 7487 Fulton Drive NW, Massillon.

  • Lake Community Branch, 565 Market Ave. SW, Lake Township.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: COVID-19 hospitalizations mirror last winter's surge in Northeast Ohio