CLEVELAND — The clock is winding down for 2021.
For some, this New Year’s Eve is a reflection of last.
Clevelanders online telling 3News, they’re staying in again in this year for safety reasons, avoiding illness looming across northeast Ohio.
The recent spike in COVID-19 cases changing plans last minute for others.
Viewers saying parties planned were canceled with some being help virtually in light of a rise in COVID-19 cases.
For some, staying in is how it’s always been, as many prefer to not be on the streets as many party and cheer for a new year.
Many still taking to the streets and bars for the celebration.
COVID-19 numbers continue to climb as the two-year mark of the pandemic near.
Over 20 thousand new cases in Ohio Friday, marking another all-time high. Cases continue to spike thanks to the delta and omicron variants.
“People are going to get together tonight they’re doing to spread COVID to more and more people,” Pediatric Infectious Disease doctor with University Hospitals, Amy Edwards said.
Edwards has been adamant that in the weeks to come cases will peak before getting better.
“The next 4 or 5 weeks are just going to be another surge on top of the surges that we’re already dealing with right now,” Edwards said.
Medical staff are bracing for what’s ahead but say there’s a silver lining as we welcome a new year.
“I am looking forward to 2022 and I know in the long run 2022 will be better than 2021 was.” Edwards said.