The state saw a 37 percent rise in COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents this week, marking the fourth straight week with an increase.

In just the past four weeks, cases in the state have tripled.

After 10 consecutive weeks of declines, this was the fourth week in a row to see an increase in COVID-19 case numbers in the state. Before those declines, there were 11 straight weeks of increases.

There were 111.7 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents for the period between April 14 and Wednesday compared to 81.5 cases per 100,000 last week, according to data provided Thursday by the Ohio Department of Health.

The cases per 100,000 is the highest for Ohio since Feb. 24.

Ohio had 56.6 cases per 100,000 residents two weeks ago, 41.3 cases per 100,000 residents three weeks ago, 37.2 cases per 100,000 residents four weeks ago and 41.2 cases per 100,000 residents five weeks ago.

It hit a record high 2,154.8 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents 14 weeks ago.

Of the state’s 88 counties, 22 were at high risk this week. There were 10 counties at high risk last week and just one two weeks ago.

The ODH switched March 13 from daily to weekly reports. The reports are provided on Thursdays.

A total of 8,731 COVID-19 cases were reported in the last week as of Thursday. In comparison, 6,890 cases reported last week, 4,808 cases two weeks ago, 3,828 cases three weeks ago and 3,103 cases four weeks ago.

Also, 68 COVID-19 deaths in the state were reported in the last week as of Thursday.

The state’s COVID-19 hospitalization rate has declined from its Jan. 11 peak of 6,729 to 358 Thursday, according to Ohio Hospital Association statistics.

VALLEY RATES

The rate of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents this week increased in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties.

Mahoning is 31st in the state this week among the 88 counties with 86.1 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents.

It was 30th last week with 63.4 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents. Mahoning was 46th two weeks ago with 39.8 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents, 28th three weeks ago with 39.4 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents, 38th four weeks ago with 35 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents and 54th five weeks ago with 34.5 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents.

Trumbull is 42nd in the state this week with 74.3 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents.

It was 25th last week with 66.2 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents. Trumbull was 26th two weeks ago with 54 cases per 100,000 residents, 21st three weeks ago with 45.5 cases per 100,000 residents, 29th four weeks ago with 39.9 cases per 100,000 residents and 22nd five weeks ago with 50 cases per 100,000.

Columbiana is 39th this week with 76.6 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents.

It was 37th last week with 57.9 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents. Columbiana was 64th two weeks ago with 29.4 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents, 59th three weeks ago with 26.5 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents, 50th four weeks ago with 31.4 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents and 29th five weeks ago with 46.1 COVID-19 cases per 100,000.

The ODH measures cases per 100,000 residents among counties to get a fair comparison because total cases likely would result in more-populous counties ranking higher.