Ohio entering endemic phase of COVID-19, ODH Director says

As COVID-19 continues to decline in Ohio, the state is looking at the next phase and its impact (Source: “Ohio entering new phase as COVID approaches endemic status,” Dayton Daily News, March 10).

“As the days and weeks pass it becomes increasingly clear that not only are we leaving the omicron surge behind us but we’re entering a new phase,” Ohio Department of Heath Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff said.

The variant, which is more contagious but less likely to result in serious illness, has helped push COVID closer to an endemic rather than a pandemic. And compared to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ohio has multiple tools to monitor to battle the virus, including coronavirus therapeutics and treatments, and the vaccine.

Though the virus is on the decline, Vanderhoff noted the last two years a spring and summer lull was followed by a surge.