With the state set to start a second group of people getting COVID-19 vaccinations on Jan. 19, Ohio has been slow to give doses to those in the first phase.

As of Friday, 248,600 first doses of the vaccine were given to health care workers and personnel routinely involved in the care of COVID-19 patients, emergency medical responders and those who live and / or work in congregate settings, such as nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.

That group consists of about 1 million people.

However, 29,028 people received doses of the vaccine between 6 a.m. Thursday and 6 a.m. Friday — the most reported in a 24-hour period by the Ohio Department of Health.

The vaccine is given in two doses about four weeks apart.

The ODH’s website didn’t provide the number of people who’ve received a second dose. There have been some, but the amount is likely extremely low.

Overall, the 248,600 first doses are only 2.13 percent of the state’s population.

As of Friday, 4,981 people in Mahoning (2.18 percent of its population), 2,840 in Trumbull (1.43 percent) and 1,870 in Columbiana counties had received the first dose of the vaccine.

Gov. Mike DeWine said the vaccine will be offered starting Jan. 19 to those at least 80 years old. That’s about 450,000 people, but only 100,000 doses will be available that week.

After that, those 75 and older will be eligible to get the vaccine beginning Jan. 25, and 65 years and older Feb. 8.

“As we include other age ranges, please know that does not mean vaccinations will be complete for the previous age range,” DeWine said.

Those with congenital diseases and pre-existing conditions will be eligible to get the vaccine starting Jan. 25.

Starting Feb. 1, vaccinations will be available for adult personnel at schools that are open or plan to reopen for in-person learning.

Between senior citizens, those with medical conditions and school personnel, that group has 2.2 million people.

COVID-19 DATA

Friday was yet another day in Ohio with a high number of new COVID-19 cases: 9,535. This came a day after 10,251 new cases reported Thursday. The daily average number of cases for the past 21 days is 7,464.

There were 762,603 total COVID-19 cases Friday in the state with 621,185 presumed recovered and 9,544 deaths.

There were 82 new deaths reported in the state Friday, including seven in Trumbull and two in Columbiana counties.

The ODH reported 15,818 total COVID-19 cases Friday in Mahoning County with 13,151 presumed recovered and 315 deaths. The last COVID-19 death reported in the county was Dec. 31.

The state listed 11,569 total COVID-19 cases Friday in Trumbull County with 9,821 presumed recovered and 285 fatalities.

Of the 285 COVID-19 deaths in Trumbull, 119 of them — 42 percent — have occurred in the past month.

The ODH listed 6,579 total COVID-19 cases Friday in Columbiana County with 5,428 presumed recovered and 122 fatalities. The Columbiana County Health District reported 125 COVID-19 deaths in the county.

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 11,569 +107 +851 285

Mahoning 15,818 +134 +771 315

Columbiana 6,579 +81 +340 122

Ohio 726,603 +9,535 +47,930 9,544

SOURCE: Ohio Department of Health