The level of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 Ohioans is at its highest level in more than five months, while those hospitalized with the virus exceeded 1,000 for the first time since March.

Cases increased by 20.4 percent compared to last week and are up by 38.5 percent in the past three weeks.

There were 334.1 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents for the two-week period between June 30 and Wednesday compared to 277.4 cases per 100,000 last week, according to data provided Thursday by the Ohio Department of Health.

Cases per 100,000 haven’t been that high since 481 were reported Feb. 10 by the ODH.

Also, for the first time since March 3, the state’s COVID-19 hospitalization rate exceeded 1,000, according to Ohio Hospital Association statistics. It was at 1,008 Thursday. It was at 753 just two weeks prior.

The ODH reported 39 COVID-19 deaths since last week.

This is the third straight week Ohio has experienced an increase in COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents.

The increases come after four straight weeks of modest decreases. Before that, there were eight weeks of increases and prior to that, 10 consecutive weeks of declines.

Cases in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana had increases this week — particularly in Trumbull — although numbers in those counties are well below the state average and among the lowest in Ohio.

Ohio had 253.2 cases per 100,000 residents two weeks ago, 241.2 cases per 100,000 residents three weeks ago, 251.9 cases per 100,000 residents four weeks ago and 267.8 cases per 100,000 residents five weeks ago.

It hit a record-high 2,154.8 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents Jan. 20.

For the fourth week in a row, 87 of the state’s 88 counties had more than 100 cases per 100,000 residents. Also, 78 counties — including Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana — had more than 200 cases per 100,000 residents.

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

A total of 24,465 COVID-19 cases were reported in the last week as of Thursday.

In comparison, there were 18,838 COVID-19 cases last week, 17,225 COVID-19 cases two weeks ago, 16,159 COVID-19 cases three weeks ago, 16,169 COVID-19 cases four weeks ago and 18,247 COVID-19 cases five weeks ago.

VALLEY RATES

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.

Mahoning is 63rd in the state this week among the 88 counties with 279 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents. It had an 18.8 percent increase in cases compared to last week.

It was 54th last week with 234.8 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents.

Mahoning was 48th two weeks ago with 230.9 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents, 47th three weeks ago with 213.8 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents, 29th four weeks ago with 255.8 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents and 14th five weeks ago with 301.7 COVID-19 cases per 100,000.

Trumbull is 64th in the state this week with 275.8 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents. Cases increased by 39.3 percent from last week.

It was 69th last week with 206.6 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents.

Trumbull was 62nd two weeks ago with 198 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents, 54th three weeks ago with 202 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents, 42nd four weeks ago with 229.8 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents and 33rd five weeks ago with 256.6 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents.

Columbiana is 79th this week with 216.9 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents. It had a 23.4 percent increase in cases compared to last week.

It was 81st last week with 175.7 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents.

Columbiana was 83rd two weeks ago with 148.2 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents, also 83rd three weeks ago with 139.4 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents, 65th four weeks ago with 187.5 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents and 59th five weeks ago with 205.1 COVID-19 cases per 100,000.