COLUMBUS, Ohio - The number of new coronavirus cases in Ohio hit 16,128  on Tuesday, a continued sign that cases remain on a downward trend. 

That number increases to 16,769 when using the CDC's expanded definition, which also includes quick tests and patients who are showing symptoms and are known to have been in contact with someone who is a confirmed case. Ohio's definition only includes those who were confirmed in a lab. 

Tuesday's increase is in keeping with recent days, where new cases have increased in the 300 to 400 range, as opposed to over a thousand, where they stood as recently as about a week and a half ago. 

The increase is up slightly from the previous day and there is also an uptick in hospitalizations and deaths, although those are considered a "lagging indicator" because they represent cases diagnosed sometimes as many as two weeks earlier. 

Governor Mike DeWine laid out on Monday the first phase of businesses that will be permitted to reopen beginning in May under restrictions designed to continue to stop the virus from spreading at a faster rate. 

Those businesses that will be permitted to reopen will have to limit the number of people inside at one time, require masks for employees and customers and allow for minimum distancing between people. Those businesses will include construction, manufacturing, retail and dental offices. 

The next steps, which could include businesses like restaurants, bars and hair salons, won't be announced until after health officials can accurately gauge whether new infections are being kept under control with the new, loosened restrictions. 

Locally, Mahoning county has 784 cases of the virus, with 67 deaths. As has been a near constant trend, Mahoning County has been hit hardest among the older population. While the majority of cases remains female with an age range as wide as 7 to 103, the more serious cases predominantly affect men and skew older. The median age for hospitalizations is 70, although they do range from 23-99. Deaths, however, span a smaller age range, from 50-99, with a median of 81. Of those deaths, 52 percent are residents of longterm care facilities and 98 percent had underlying health conditions. 

Trumbull county has 299 cases of the virus, with 27 deaths. 

Eight more people have been confirmed as having contracted coronavirus in Columbiana and two more people have died.

County health officials on Tuesday reported 234 confirmed cases since the outbreak began.

One of those who died was an 84-year-old woman who, according to the health department was a resident of a local long-term care facility.

The second was a 55-year-old inmate from Elkton Federal Correctional Institution that 21 News reported Monday

Authorities say both had underlying health conditions.

As of Tuesday, the health department reported 23 confirmed COVID-19 cases at long-term facilities and 8 deaths.

The county does not name the facilities.

The only long-term facility in Columbiana County listed by the  Ohio Department of Health is Salem West Nursing home with 16 confirmed cases among residents, and one staff member.

The Bureau of Prisons reports 48 inmates and 48 staff members have tested positive at Elkton. Seven of those inmates have died.