ST. CLAIRSVILLE — After a year’s wait, COVID-19 health restrictions across Ohio will be lifted today, but Gov. Mike DeWine is asking Ohioans who have chosen not to receive a vaccination to continue to take necessary precautions.

“Ohioans have done a great job during the pandemic. And, with more than 5 million Ohioans who have received at least the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, we are getting back to living the lives we want,” DeWine said in a statement Tuesday.

However, it is important that we all still remember that there are a significant number of Ohioans who remain unvaccinated and are at-risk, including everyone under the age of 12. It’s important that those not fully vaccinated continue to wear masks indoors and follow other preventative measures to keep themselves as healthy as possible.”

According to the state count, more than 5.3 million Ohioans have received their first vaccinations and 4.6 million have completed the vaccination series. An individual is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines or two weeks after the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Health care facilities are the exception to lifted restrictions, and individual businesses will set their own policies. Those businesses that would like proper signs to post can find them at coronavirus.ohio.gov. More information about vaccine availability can be found at gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov.

Locally, Senior Services Director Dwayne Pielech has said Belmont County seniors can look forward to the county’s 11 senior centers reopening with precautions in place.

Belmont County Deputy Health Commissioner Robert Sproul said shots are being offered at the health department office 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today and Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. Sproul reiterated the state’s warnings.

“We are still asking non-vaccinated people to be cautious. Even though the virus is still spreading in much lower numbers than before, it is still present in the county,” he said in a text message.

According to coronavirus.ohio.gov, Belmont County has had a total of 6,110 cases since the pandemic’s onset, with 5,836 recoveries and 171 deaths. Harrison County has had 1,150 cases, 1,111 recoveries and 24 deaths. Monroe County has had 1,353 cases with 1,283 recoveries and 43 deaths. Jefferson County has had 5,643 cases, 5,437 recoveries and 155 deaths.