CLEVELAND — Cuyahoga became the first of Ohio’s 10 largest counties to have a majority of its population partially vaccinated against COVID-19, according to Ohio Department of Health data update on Thursday.

As of Thursday, 50.1% of Cuyahoga County residents of all ages have gotten at least one COVID-19 vaccine. Of Cuyahoga County’s total population, 43.4% of residents are fully vaccinated, according to the health department.

After the rate of new COVID-19 vaccines declined abruptly in April, rates of new vaccinations have slightly increased since the start of the month. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has credited Ohio’s Vax-a-Million drawing as part of the reason for why COVID-19 vaccinations have increased slightly in recent weeks across the state.

Also earlier this month, Ohioans ages 12-15 became eligible for the vaccine.

Cuyahoga County is among five Ohio counties with a majority of the population vaccinated. Delaware, Lake, Medina and Ottawa counties also have crossed the 50% threshold in recent weeks. 

As more residents become vaccinated, the effects of COVID-19 have dramatically declined. In December 2020, the Ohio Department of Health reported 622 coronavirus-related fatalities in Cuyahoga County. In April 2021, 49 COVID-19 deaths were reported by the state within the county. Preliminary data from the state for May lists nine COVID-19 deaths in Cuyahoga County. 

In December, there were 1,084 Cuyahoga County residents hospitalized with COVID-19, according to state data. So far in May, 232 residents have been hospitalized. 

Overall, there have been 2,158 coronavirus-related deaths among Cuyahoga County residents according to Ohio Department of Health data.

Cuyahoga County is Ohio’s second-largest county.