COVID-19 rate falls to July 2021 levels

March 18, 2022

The rate of COVID-19 in Ohio is at its lowest rate in eight months. Thursday’s report was the first weekly one from the Ohio Department of Health, which switched beginning Monday from daily to weekly reports as cases decline in the state. The daily updates were provided for the past two years, dating back to March 2020 when the first COVID-19 cases were reported in Ohio. A total of 3,605 COVID-19 cases were reported in the last week as of Thursday. There were 49.4 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents for the period between March 3 and Wednesday, compared to 70.4 cases per 100,000 ...

Fri. 9:14 a.m.: China weighs exit from ‘zero COVID’ and the risks involved

March 18, 2022

BEIJING (AP) — Even as authorities lock down cities in China's worst outbreak in two years, they are looking for an exit from what has been a successful but onerous COVID-19 prevention strategy. A study, interviews with Chinese public health staff and recent public messaging by ...

Mon. 10:04 a.m.: China battles multiple outbreaks, driven by stealth omicron

March 14, 2022

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — China banned most people from leaving a coronavirus-hit northeastern province and mobilized military reservists today as the fast-spreading "stealth omicron" variant fuels the country's biggest outbreak since the start of the pandemic two years ago. The National ...

Mon. 9:20 a.m.: France lifts COVID-19 rules on unvaccinated, mask wearing

March 14, 2022

PARIS (AP) — France lifted most COVID-19 restrictions today, abolishing the need to wear face masks in most settings and allowing people who aren't vaccinated back into restaurants, sports arenas and other venues. The move had been announced earlier this month by the French government ...

County makes first plan for ARP money

March 11, 2022

WARREN — Trumbull County commissioners have opened the door to spending the county’s American Rescue Plan funds by putting $3 million toward local businesses. Commissioners unanimously allocated $2 million to continuing the CARES 4 Trumbull Small Business Relief Fund, a grant program for local businesses adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, commissioners approved $1 million to create a revolving loan fund for county businesses. The money will come out of the county’s $38 million in ARP funds and is subject to approval from the commissioners’ legal ...

State shifts to weekly virus reporting

March 11, 2022

With COVID-19 cases in the state at the lowest level since last July, the Ohio Department of Health will move from daily to weekly virus-data reports. The last daily report will be Sunday and weekly data — including cases, hospitalizations and vaccinations — will be reported on Thursdays, said Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, ODH director. “The situation is evolving, and our experience with COVID-19 is evolving from that of a pandemic to more of an endemic,” he said Thursday. Vanderhoff added: “We’re entering a new phase of our experience with COVID-19. Case numbers and community ...