Ohio broke its record for the most reported COVID-19 cases during a three-day span with 4,662 between Wednesday and Friday.

While the number of cases declined Friday for the first time this week, the 1,533 number is the fifth-most for a single day since the start of the pandemic. Thursday’s 1,733 cases is first. Wednesday had 1,396 cases.

The previous three-day record was 4,531 on July 22 through 24.

Also, of the 91,159 cases reported in Ohio as of Friday, 39,370 occurred in July. That accounts for 43.2 percent of all of the state’s COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic as the virus shows signs of increasing despite a statewide face mask mandate that began July 23.

The Ohio Liquor Control Commission voted 3-0 Friday on a recommendation from Gov. Mike DeWine to not permit the sale of alcohol at bars and restaurants after 10 p.m. effective Friday. People are allowed to drink until 11 p.m. if the beverages are ordered by the 10 p.m. cut-off time.

DeWine asked for the change because he has “grave concerns about the spread of coronavirus at establishments that serve alcohol for on-site consumption,” pointing to outbreaks at bars throughout the state.

Friday was the 23rd day out of the past 24 in the state to have at least 1,000 new COVID-19 cases. Those 23 days are among the top 28 for the most reported cases in Ohio.

Not including today, 7,975 total cases have been reported this week for a daily average of 1,329. That’s not too far from the record 9,608 cases during the week of July 12, which averaged 1,372 cases per day.

The Ohio Department of Health reported 91,159 overall COVID-19 cases as of Friday, with 65,788 presumed recovered and 3,442 deaths.

The state has recorded 192 COVID-19 deaths this week, not including today, which is the most since 204 were reported during the week of May 31.

Of the deaths this week, six each were reported in Mahoning and Trumbull counties. Two of them were reported Friday in Trumbull and one in Mahoning.

The Mahoning Valley had 14 reported deaths last week and six the week prior.

The most reported deaths in the area was 53 during the week of May 3.

Oftentimes, reported deaths and cases lag behind actual deaths.

As of Friday, the Valley has totaled 410 COVID-19 deaths: 250 in Mahoning, 100 in Trumbull and 60 in Columbiana.

Mahoning listed 2,371 cases Friday, up 22 from Thursday.

Trumbull reported 1,393 cases Friday, up 19 from Thursday.

Columbiana had 1,565 cases Friday, up 18 from a day earlier.

COVID-19 by the numbers

The number of cases, changes in cases and deaths in counties in the region and statewide as of Friday:

County Cases Change since Change since Deaths

yesterday last week

Trumbull 1,393 +19 +128 100

Mahoning 2,371 +22 +157 250

Columbiana 1,565 +18 +68 60

Ohio 91,159 +1,533 +9,413 3,489

SOURCE: Ohio Department of Health