CEDARVILLE, Ohio — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine expressed some tentative optimism during his Thursday update about the state’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

There may be more opportunities for inoculation available, as smaller pharmacies will soon be able to administer vaccines, and looser regulations are being considered for upcoming spring and summer events.

Nursing homes and hospitalization rates continue to figure high on DeWine’s list of priorities, with nursing home deaths accounting for a significant portion of fatalities related to the pandemic among Ohio’s vulnerable seniors. However, in December Ohioans 80 and older were 25 percent of COVID hospitalizations; that number is now 18 percent.

The total number of people hospitalized also has been dropping. Weeks ago there were fewer than 2,500 patients admitted with COVID-19, which resulted in DeWine’s office lifting the state curfew. The number is now 1,262. DeWine believes increasing vaccinations among older Ohioans accounts for these shrinking numbers.

“That number, most days, continues to drop, and we’re very happy with that,” he said. “We’re also seeing a decline in cases among nursing home residents.”

In December, there were 5,100 nursing home cases in a given week, with 2,832 new cases. Last week, there were 1,000 cases with 369 new cases.

“We want to continue to drive those numbers down,” he said.

As of last week, 91,000 nursing home residents received the first of their two injections, with 70,000 of them receiving their second shot. The state has also launched a COVID-19 maintenance program to make the vaccine available to new residents and staff.

A total of 1.5 million Ohians have received either their first or second doses of vaccine.

DeWine’s talk turned to spring events and the easing of public health measures. Still, his office remains concerned about more infectious variants of the virus.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen with that — what the effect is going to be — but we’re optimistic” he said. “We have a lot of things to be happy about as we move forward.”

Next week will see guidance from the state for conducting events such as proms, graduations, fairs and festivals. DeWine said vaccinations and mask-wearing will continue to be a focus going forward until herd immunity is in effect.

He said sports and entertainment events would continue, with a 25 percent indoor capacity and 30 percent outdoor capacity, while following precautions. There will be socially distanced seating of no more than six people who are all members of the same household.

As his presentation on The Ohio Channel continued, DeWine pointed out the scarcity of the vaccine compared to the demand as one obstacle, with many Ohioans expressing frustration with an inability to secure a vaccine.

DeWine said next week, pharmacies including some Walmarts and small, independent pharmacies will be authorized to give the shots. Pharmacists at the St. Clairsville Walmart will know today if the store will be a provider. Kroger, Rite Aid and CVS will continue to provide vaccines, and more doses will be shipped to county health departments and hospitals.

DeWine also hopes to hear more positive news from Johnson & Johnson about its development of a new version of the vaccine, which could be available in days.

Locally, Belmont County Deputy Health Commissioner Robert Sproul reported there have been 5,270 total cases since the pandemic’s onset. There are 211 residents in isolation with active cases and 60 who are hospitalized. There have been 4,901 recoveries, and 98 people have died after being infected. The latest death was reported Thursday with the victim a man in his 60s.