ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Activities are resuming after this week’s lifting of COVID-19 health restrictions by the state, but according to coronavirus.ohio.gov, Belmont County deaths related to the pandemic increased from 171 reported Tuesday to 174 on Wednesday.

No further information, such as the gender or age ranges of the individuals, could be obtained. The Belmont County Health Department has turned its contact tracing work over to the Public Consulting Group.

“When we transferred everything over to PCG they moved the death number up. We have no information about the increase,” Belmont County Deputy Health Commissioner Robert Sproul said in a text message.

But PCG declined to provide any information.

“Please direct any questions you have about COVID-19 in Belmont County to the Belmont County Health Department,” spokeswoman Kelly Friar wrote in an email. “Public Consulting Group does not have access to this information and cannot answer your questions.”

Sproul did not know how the numbers were being reported.

“The only place I see the larger number is through the state site. They must be using their number,” Sproul said.

The Ohio Department of Health did not reply to a request for information.

Deaths related to coronavirus remained largely unchanged in Belmont County following a surge during the winter months. Most residents who died while infected were older residents or those with comorbidities.

Ohioans who have decided not to be vaccinated are reminded to exercise caution and consider wearing masks indoors when there is a possibility of spreading the virus.

Belmont County has had a total of 6,121 cases since the pandemic’s onset, with 5,846 recoveries, according to coronavirus.ohio.gov. Jefferson County has had 5,654 cases, with 5,453 recoveries and 156 deaths. Monroe County has had 1,354 total cases with 1,284 recoveries and 43 deaths. And Harrison County has had 1,151 cases, 1,116 recoveries and 24 deaths, according to the local health department’s Facebook page.

For the next three weeks, the state will award $1 million to a random vaccinated Ohioan and a full-ride scholarship to a four-year state university to a vaccinated Ohioan 12-17 years old as part of the Vax-a-Million drawing. To opt in, visit ohiovaxamillion.com. For more information about vaccine availability, visit gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov.