For the first time in about a year, new COVID-19 cases in Ohio fell below 50 cases per 100,000 people, according to Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Health.

Case rates per 100,000 residents were as high as more than 900 cases per 100,000 people in December.

Prior to Saturday, the last time Ohio fell below 50 cases per 100,000 residents was June 25, 2020, when 49.7 cases per 100,000 were reported for the period of June 11 through June 24, 2020.

The state now is at a rate of 49.5 per 100,000 people.

“Ohioans have shown our resilience and grit, and by continuing to get vaccinated, we are coming through this pandemic stronger than ever,” DeWine said. “When I announced this goal on March 4, I said that reaching 50 cases per 100,000 would mean we were entering a new phase of this pandemic. Vaccinations are working. That’s why cases, hospitalizations and deaths are down.”

But, DeWine warned, that doesn’t mean unvaccinated people should let their guard down.

We can’t “let our foot off the gas,” he said.

“If you’re not vaccinated against COVID-19, continue to wear a mask in public, and Ohioans that are able to get vaccinated should.”

Case rates per 100,000 residents are calculated as an average over a 14-day period and exclude cases among incarcerated individuals. The data is calculated based on illness onset date, not report date.

The state has not updated rates per 100,000 people in each county, but the last time it was reported, Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties were above the state average.

Few new cases were reported in the state and the three counties Saturday. There were 379 new cases reported in the state, with two new cases in Columbiana County, nine in Trumbull County and 16 in Mahoning County, all fewer than the new cases reported Friday and a week ago.

As of Saturday, more than 5.3 million Ohioans have started the vaccination process, making up 45.9 percent of the state and 40.5 percent of Ohio adults. The majority are fully vaccinated.

Visit gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov to find a vaccine location or to schedule a vaccine.

rfox@tribtoday.com