If case numbers continue this week as they did last week, Ohio will surpass 160,000 coronavirus cases within the next few days.

The Ohio Department of Health reported 157,966 cases on Saturday, an increase of 7,957 since Sept. 26 and an increase of 1,157 since Friday. The daily average number of new cases since Tuesday has been 1,000.

The state also reported 4,925 coronavirus deaths since Friday, an increase of 20.

Mahoning County reported 3,216 cases on Saturday, an increase of 22. However, no new deaths were reported, and the count remains at 282.

Trumbull County is about to pass the 2,000-case mark, with 1,975 cases reported on Saturday, an increase of 11. No new deaths were reported there either, and it remains at 132, according to ODH numbers.

Columbiana County also is approaching the 2,000 mark, with 1,980 cases reported on Saturday, an increase of just two, and no new deaths for a total of 82.

CHAMPION GOES

REMOTE

Champion school officials announced Friday that all classes from elementary to high school will be remote learning beginning Tuesday to Oct. 12 because of COVID-19 concerns.

Superintendent John Grabowski said in a health / wellness update on the district’s Facebook page the district has received notification of two new presumptive positive cases of COVID-19. He said the cases are “outside of the original exposure and have impacted both the high school and elementary school.”

Last week, Grabowski instituted remote learning at the high school Sept. 29 until Monday after learning of four COVID-19 cases. The new cases are in addition to the previous four.

All contacts are being notified and quarantined by the district and the Trumbull County Combined Health District, Grabowski said.

All extracurricular activities are shut down during the remote learning period.

Grabowski is hosting a town hall meeting 6 p.m. Monday to address the situation. He said email invitations will be shared by noon Monday.

All high school and middle school sporting activities have been canceled. The football game between Champion and Brookfield was postponed Sept. 25. The Champion and Newton Falls football game scheduled for Friday also has been postponed. The game tentatively has been rescheduled to Oct. 30 pending playoff status.

Officials last week indicated three football coaches had tested positive for COVID-19.

Grabowski said last week the district learned of four new COVID-19 cases related to the original exposure within the football program.