Weekly COVID-19 cases decline, deaths surge, Jan. 22

OHA’s COVID-19 Weekly Report was released Thursday and showed a slight decline in daily cases and a sharp decline in positive tests. OHA reported 7,860 new daily cases during the week of Monday, Jan. 11 through Sunday, Jan. 17, a 4% decrease from the previous week. There were 332 persons hospitalized for COVID-19. COVID-19 related deaths surged to 195, the highest weekly toll to date, following a previous pandemic high from the prior week. There were 129,723 tests for COVID-19 for the week of Jan. 10 through Jan. 16. The percentage of positive tests dropped to 5.9%. People age 20 to 49 have accounted for 54% of COVID-19 cases, while people 70 and older have accounted for 77% of deaths associated with the virus. Today’s COVID-19 outbreak report shows 208 active COVID-19 outbreaks in senior living communities and congregate living settings, with three or more confirmed cases and one or more COVID-19 related deaths.