COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is urging Ohioans to stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters.

ODH Director Bruce Vanderhoff noted that although case counts, hospitalizations and deaths attributed to COVID are lower than the past two winters, 2,500 Americans and 90 Ohioans still die from the disease weekly.

According to the release, the nation is seeing a new, highly contagious variant known as XBB.1.5.

People who are 65 and older, those who are immunocompromised and those with chronic conditions are at greater risk of serious illness or death if they haven't received the updated booster for the Omicron subvariants.

ODH data shows four out of five Ohioans who have died of COVID have been 65 and older. About 87% of that group is fully vaccinated but only 38% got an updated booster shot.

Dr. Vanderhoff said the vaccines give people strong cellular immunity but the immunity can wane over time.

“At the start of each new year, many of us resolve to take steps to improve our health, so I hope that more Ohioans will consider getting vaccinated or boosted,” Dr. Vanderhoff said. “That clearly is the safest, most reliable way you can reduce your risk of serious illness, hospitalization or even death as a result of the COVID-19 virus.”