For the fifth consecutive week, COVID-19 cases per 100,000 Ohio residents saw an increase.

During those five weeks, cases in the state have quadrupled.

The state had a 31.5 percent increase in COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents in just the past week.

The streak of five weeks with increase came after 10 consecutive weeks of declines. Before that, there were 11 straight weeks of increases.

There were 146.9 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents for the period between April 21 and Wednesday compared to 111.7 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 81.5 cases per 100,000 residents two weeks ago, 56.6 cases per 100,000 residents three weeks ago, 41.3 cases per 100,000 residents four weeks ago and 37.2 cases per 100,000 residents five weeks ago.

It hit a record-high 2,154.8 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents 15 weeks ago.

Of the state’s 88 counties, 45, including Mahoning and Columbiana, had more than 100 cases per 100,000 residents. Twenty-two counties were above that level last week, compared to 10 counties two weeks ago and just one three weeks ago.

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

A total of 11,013 COVID-19 cases were reported in the last week as of Thursday. In comparison, there were 8,731 COVID-19 cases last week, 6,890 cases two weeks ago, 4,808 cases three weeks ago, 3,828 cases four weeks ago and 3,103 cases five weeks ago.

Also, 65 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 427 Thursday, according to Ohio Hospital Association statistics. It was at 352 on Sunday.

VALLEY RATES

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

Mahoning is 43rd in the state this week among the 88 counties with 102.3 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents.

It was 31st last week with 86.1 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents. Mahoning was 30th two weeks ago with 63.4 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents, 46th three weeks ago with 39.8 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents, 28th four weeks ago with 39.4 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents and 38th five weeks ago with 35 COVID-19 cases per 100,000.

Trumbull is 52nd in the state this week with 90.9 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents.

It was 42nd last week with 74.3 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents. Trumbull was 25th two weeks ago with 66.2 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents, 26th three weeks ago with 54 cases per 100,000 residents, 21st four weeks ago with 45.5 cases per 100,000 residents and 29th five weeks ago with 39.9 cases per 100,000.

Columbiana is 33rd this week with 115.8 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents.

It was 39th last week with 76.6 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents. Columbiana was 37th two weeks ago with 57.9 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents, 64th three weeks ago with 29.4 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents, 59th four weeks ago with 26.5 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents and 50th four weeks ago with 31.4 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.