COVID-19

Outpatient Elective Procedures (May 1, 2020)

Reminder: Outpatient elective procedures are starting May 1, with the mission to focus on keeping our healthcare team safe while caring for COVID patients.

Download the Elective Surgery Reimplementation Action Plan

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Clinic consolidation

Other Items:

Cleaning Information (Aug. 7, 2020)

All individuals should be diligent in cleaning their own work areas. Ordering information for what supplies should be used can be found on the supply chain website.

ALSO: The cleaning of work areas related to a positive or suspect COVID-19 exposure in a clinical area will be directed by Infection Prevention. Please do not call Environmental Services for deep cleanings.

Infectious Disease Agent (IDA) and Max Surge Plan updated (June 12)

We have updated our Infectious Disease Agent(IDA) and Max Surge Plan (EP-08-017). 

Currently we are at  Recovery Level 1:

Entry Criteria:

• Symptoms:
  • Downward trajectory of symptomatic individuals reported within a 14-day period
    AND
  • Downward trajectory of confirmed or probable cases reported within a 14-day period
• Cases:
  • Downward trajectory of documented cases within a 14-day period
    OR
  • Downward trajectory of positive tests as a percentage of total tests within a 14-day period (flat or increasing volume of tests)
• Decreasing need to treat all patients with crisis care

Download the PDF

Inpatient Telemedicine Update (April 21, 2020)

There are revisions coming to inpatient telehealth visits, going live on Tuesday. This will streamline the process in order to avoid the need for charge nurse to use his or her own university email address. Instead you connect to the individual iPad, not a personal email. See the revised guide, plus how to use Webex to schedule, send an invite & conduct a patient visit:

Cleaning must occur after each use.
Please see the Disinfecting Procedure for Apple iPads (PDF).

There will be 14  iPads deployed for telemedicine. 

Nurse’s guide to joining Webex invite sent by Provider (PDF)

Use Webex to Schedule, Invite & Conduct a Patient Visit (PDF)

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COVID-19 reporting requirement changes (April 19)

On April 8, the Ohio Department of Health Reporting Requirements for 2019 – Novel Coronavirus were updated. It is now required to report Confirmed and Probable cases of COVID-19 within 24 hours to the local health district in which the person resides. Prior to April 8th only laboratory confirmed cases were required to be reported. See more information below and also read the Updated Director’s Journal entry from Dr. Acton (PDF).   

A decision through Incident Command and clinical/hospital operations has been added to support the clinics in reporting the probable cases. In an effort to minimize the number of calls to the Lucas County Health Department, Incident command is asking that the clinics report all probable cases to the following email: ProbableCOV@utoledo.edu.

The probable cases for the UTMC and UTP clinics will be reported in batch to the health department once a day. This process was established to save time for the front line providers and to minimize the number of people and calls to the health department, not to mention this enhanced process will allow the University to track our reporting of probable cases.

Download the changes PDF

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Ventilator Management Protocol (April 17)

A ventilator management protocol is in place to provide guidelines for the assembly and function testing of mechanical ventilators, and to establish guide lines for initial ventilation, ongoing management and weaning.

Download the PDF

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General cleaning guidelines for occupied and unoccupied rooms (April 15)

Please download the following PDFs with important cleaning guidelines:

COVID-19 Occupied Room Cleaning PDF

COVID-19 Unoccupied Terminal Room Cleaning Procedure PDF

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Testing offered to nursing homes (April 13)

Starting April 13, the UTMC lab will begin offering COVID testing to nursing homes, for the facilities with symptomatic residents and employees.

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Guidelines for COVID-19 death in a hospital (April 10)

If there is a COVID-19 death in a hospital, the hospital will house the decedent in the hospital morgue.

Due to risk of aerosolization, endotracheal tubes, IVs, foleys, etc. should be left in decedent.
 
General Guidelines Regarding a COVID-19 Decedent: 
Decedents are to be treated as infective. The best practice is to disinfect the nose and mouth of the deceased at the location of death, and additionally, or at least, cover the nose and mouth of the deceased with face mask, a damp washcloth to reduce aerosolized droplets from contaminating transfer personnel and equipment.
When putting the body in a body bag, the process should be as follows:

• If there if jewelry, remove if possible, disinfect and place in labeled, secured container
• Put decedent in one body bag
• Wipe-down outside of body bag with bleach spray
• Place the bagged decedent in a second body bag
• Label the outside of the second body bag with bio-hazard sticker warnings

Personal Protective Equipment:
Anyone working with a COVID-19 body is expected to use personal protective equipment including gloves, gowns, masks or respirators.

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Patient jewelry (April 10)

We encourage you to send all jewelry for admitted patients home with family at the time of admission.

If there is jewelry in place at the time of death, please remove, disinfect, place in clean secure container and give to immediate supervisor.

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COVID-19 Infection Control Procedures and Recommendations for the Operating Room (OR) - April 8

A. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the OR:*

1. Standard precaution should be followed at all times.
2. Standard OR attire should be worn (eye protection, bouffant cap, surgical mask, surgical gown for people scrubbed). 
3. Sterile gowns should only be worn by those in the sterile field.
4. N95 that are worn during intubation should be worn throughout the entire procedure including extubating. 
5. N95 are to be worn by all staff in the room for any of the following surgical procedures:
   1. Endoscopy procedures
   2. Laparoscopy procedures
   3. Tracheostomy procedures
   4. Thoracic procedures
   5. Electrocautery of blood or Gastrointestinal tissue
   6. Use of high-speed powered equipment (e.g., saws, drills)
   7. Use of intraoperative debridement devices with irrigation (e.g., hydrosurgery, pulsatile lavage, low frequency ultrasonic debridement) 

*If you have a N95 on, there is no need for a surgical mask during the same case. Do not double mask.
Note: No cloth masks are allowed to be used in the OR.

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B. Limit Personnel in the OR:

1. Cases will be limited to 6 people to a room unless other needs arise from X-ray, perfusion, or neuro monitoring technician.
   1. Anesthesia Resident/Midlevel
   2. Attending Anesthesiologist
   3. Surgeon
   4. Surgical Assist/Surgical Resident
   5. Scrub Tech
   6. Circulator

2. Hybrid OR (Room 14) will be limited to 8 people
   1. Anesthesia Resident/Midlevel
   2. Attending Anesthesiologist
   3. Surgeon
   4. Surgical Assist/Surgical Resident
   5. Scrub Tech
   6. Circulator
   7. Advanced Radiology Tech
   8. Perfusion
   9. Vendor

C. Room Assignments for Procedures:

1. Each surgery for the day will be assigned a separate OR.
   1. No room will be utilized twice in the same day unless administrative approval is received from the Assistant VP of Patient Care Services.
2. The OR will remain unoccupied a minimum of 30 minutes before terminal cleaning for each case. 

D. Not Detected COVID-19 or Low Suspicion Case:

1. Intubation will occur in a negative pressure room and will only include the following people in the room – 1) AA/CRNA/Anesthesia Resident; 2) Anesthesiologist; 3) Circulator.
   1. Anesthesiologist will make determination when the patient is hemodynamically stable before transporting to the OR.
   2. Gown, eye protection, and N95 needs to remain on until extubation.
   3. Removal of gloves after intubation and perform hand hygiene.
   4. Hand hygiene must be performed before donning a new pair of gloves.
   5. Mapleson System from the anesthesia circuit to remain on the endotracheal tube.
2. Once hemodynamically stable, patient to be rolled into OR environment.
3. Procedure in OR:
   1. There must be a dedicated runner standing by the outside of the sterile core door during the procedure to retrieve any needed supplies and pass to the circulator within the room.
      • Runner is not to cross over threshold of door and must not allow door to remain open for prolonged periods of time.
   2. Whenever possible, reduce speed of drills or saws to reduce aerosolization of tissue.
   3. Consistent use of smoke evacuation is recommended for all surgical patients.
4. Change gloves and perform and hygiene prior to leaving the OR.
5. Patient will be taken to the negative pressure room in PACU to extubate and will only include the following people in the room – 1) AA/CRNA/Anesthesia Resident; 2) Anesthesiologist; 3) Circulator.
6. Don a new pair of gloves prior to extubating and perform hand hygiene after glove removal.
7. Place non-rebreathers on patient, unless contraindicated per Anesthesia.
   1. If patient is unable to be extubated, a viral filter needs to be placed on ambu bag prior to patient transfer to floor.
8. Recover patient in the PACU.
9. Follow appropriate hospital protocol for non-detect COVID-19 or Low Suspicion Case.

E. Confirmed COVID-19

1. Reserved for emergent life threatening surgeries only.
2. Will be performed in the George Isaac in OR 2.
3. Procedure in the OR:
   1. If intubation is not already done, intubation will be performed for these patients in the OR in George Isaac.
      • If the patient needs to remain on a ventilator after surgery a viral filter will be placed on the ambu bag prior to transport. This viral filter may be used then for the ventilator, if needed.
   2. There must be a dedicated runner standing by the outside of the sterile core door during the procedure to retrieve any needed supplies and pass to the circulator within the room.
      • Runner is not to cross over threshold of door and must not allow door to remain open for prolonged periods of time.
   3. Whenever possible, reduce speed of drills or saws to reduce aerosolization of tissue.
   4. Consistent use of smoke evacuation is recommended for all surgical patients.
   5. Once surgery is completed, extubate in the current OR and remove gloves and perform hand hygiene.
   6. Don new pair of gloves.
   7. Place non-rebreather on patient, unless contraindicated per Anesthesia.
      • If patient is unable to be extubated, a viral filter needs to be placed on ambu bag prior to patient transfer to floor.
   8. Perform hand hygiene after glove removal.
   9. Patient will remain in the current OR for recovery.
4. Follow appropriate hospital protocol for transport of COVID positive patient.

 
Reference:
https://www.aorn.org/guidelines/aorn-support/covid19-faqs
https://www.facs.org/covid-19/clinical-guidance/triage
https://www.aorn.org/guidelines/aorn-support/covid19-faqs

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How to handle donations (April 5)

The community response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been overwhelming and we are grateful for all the offerings of the critical supplies to protect our front line staff and patients.

Examples of PPE (personal protective equipment) and supplies needed:

• N95 Mask
• PAPR equipment/hoods
• Face shields
• Face masks
• Gowns
• Tyvek suits
• Gloves
• Goggles
• Cleaning wipes/disinfectant
• Thermometers

Donated supplies must be in their original, unopened packaging.

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UTMC Medical Staff Notices (april 3)

Daily physical examination
A focused physical examination must be performed and documented on all confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients. This may be done by an Attending Physician or an Advanced Practice Provider (APP). Additionally, physical examination is required when there is a change in clinical status.

Sharing Mechanical Ventilators
The Department of Health and Human Services and related professional organizations advise clinicians that sharing mechanical ventilators should not be attempted because it cannot be done safely with current equipment. This method of ventilation must only be attempted when all other options have been exhausted. Learn more (HHS PDF). 

Medical Record Documentation
With the objective of limiting COVID-19 exposures, Consulting Providers are not required to perform a physical examination on patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. This must be accurately documented in the Medical Record, e.g., “I did not personally examine the patient, but am relying on the physical examination performed this morning…”

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Room Cleaning Guidelines (April 2)

Room Cleaning guidelines for COVID positive rooms for those patients that have discharged or moved:

• Negative rooms have 12 air exchanges and can be cleaned after sitting for 35 minutes. 
• All other rooms, cleaning can start after the room has sat for 1 hour.

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Collection of Diagnostic Respiratory Specimens (April 2)

When collecting respiratory specimens (e.g., nasopharyngeal swab) from a possible COVID-19 patient, the following should occur:

• HCP in the room should wear:
  • N-95 with eye protection, or PAPR
  • Gloves 
  • Gown 
• Limit the number of people in the room during the procedure and no visitor should be present in the room.
• Collect specimen in a normal examination room with the door closed (an AIIR is not required).
• Clean and disinfect procedure room surfaces promptly as described in the cleaning protocol.

Reference: Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Healthcare Settings

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Building access and screening
Hospital employees and visitors are asked to ONLY use the UTMC Main and Medical Pavilion entrances. All other doors to the hospital/clinical areas are locked and restricted. Screenings and temperature checks are done around the clock for all visitors and staff. The Emergency Department entrance is restricted to patient use only.

Bed assignments
Currently, we are putting patients with a high suspicion of COVID-19 infection, Persons Under Investigation (PUI), into negative airflow rooms. We are also moving patients with respiratory problems into 3CD.

• Ohio's Mass Vaccination Clinic at Wolstein Center to Offer Pfizer Vaccine During Clinic's Final Week (May 27, 2021)
• Vax-a-Million, Medicaid Vaccine Uptake, Isolation/Quarantine (May 24, 2021)
• COVID-19 Update: New Health Order, Youth Vaccination FAQs, Vax-a-Million Update, Resources for Ohio Employers
• Governor DeWine Statement on New CDC Mask Guidance
• Governor DeWine Signs Bill into Law
• Governor DeWine Issues Statement on FDA Vaccine Authorization
• Governor DeWine Announces Vaccine Incentives, End Date for Health Orders
• Governor Announces Vaccinations Available to Youth in Ohio, Wolstein Center Vaccination Update
• Ohio Vax-a-Million, Kids Vaccination, Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation

VAX-A-Million

Ohio Vax-a-Million is a public outreach campaign consisting of a series of statewide drawings to increase awareness of the availability and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and provide incentives to Ohioans to get a COVID-19 vaccination.

Ohioans 18 and older who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine can enter to win one of five $1 million prizes. Ohioans ages 12-17 who have received a received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine can enter to win one of five four-year, full-ride scholarships, including room and board, tuition, and books, to any Ohio state college or university.

Ohioans who would like to enter the drawings must opt-in by visiting ohiovaxamillion.com or by calling the Ohio Department of Health Call Center at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634) between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily. Once an Ohioan enters, their entry will be carried over through all the drawings; it is not necessary to enter each week.

Vaccination records will be verified for winners. Winners will be announced each Wednesday, starting May 26, at approximately 7:29 p.m., for five weeks. To be eligible to be announced as a winner on a given Wednesday, an Ohio resident must enter by the end of day the Sunday immediately prior. Official rules, frequently asked questions, and a list of entry end dates, drawing dates, announcement dates, and a list of TV stations that will air the announcement, is available at ohiovaxamillion.com. The final announcement will take place on Wednesday, June 23.

Incentives:

In Wednesday's statewide evening address, Governor DeWine detailed a series of statewide drawings to provide incentives for Ohioans to get a COVID-19 vaccination. 

Ohioans aged 18 and older will be entered into "Ohio Vax-a-Million," a weekly drawing with a prize of up to $1 million. 

Ohioans 17 and under who are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination will be entered into a drawing for a full, four-year scholarship to any of Ohio's state colleges and universities, including full tuition, room and board, and books. A total of five weekly drawings for a full, four-year scholarship will take place, with the first winner being announced on May 26th. A webpage will be available to register those who qualify. 

Learn more

• COVID-19 Update: Nursing Home & Assisted Living Employee Testing Exemption, Homebound Vaccination Plan 
• Ohio's Mass Vaccination Clinic in Cleveland to Offer Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Next Week

Covid-19 Update: Quarantine Health Order, Mass Vaccination Clinic, Economic Update (4/27)

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted provided the following updates on Ohio's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

QUARANTINE HEALTH ORDER
Governor DeWine today announced that any Ohioan who has been fully vaccinated will no longer have to quarantine if they are exposed to someone with COVID-19. This health order applies to all adults, except those who are in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or other congregate care settings.  Nursing homes and long-term care facilities, including staff and residents, should continue to quarantine following CDC guidance. 

"The power of the vaccine allows us to do this," said Governor DeWine. "Fully vaccinated Ohioans, including high school students, will be able to participate in sports and other activities, even if they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19."

An individual is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines or two weeks after the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

As of today, 4.6 million Ohioans have received their first vaccine, and 3.6 million are fully vaccinated.

The health order is forthcoming.  

MASS VACCINATION CLINIC 
Ohio's Mass Vaccination Clinic at Cleveland State University's Wolstein Center will now accept walk-ins and will offer first doses of the Pfizer vaccine this week and next week. Walk-ins are welcome from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

"More than 237,000 first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine have been administered in the six weeks the Mass Vaccination Clinic has been open," said Governor DeWine. "The time to get vaccinated is now, and there are many open appointments at the Wolstein Center, as well as other vaccination locations in Ohio." 

Ohioans are still encouraged to visit gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov to look for open appointments or call 833-4-ASK-ODH to book an appointment over the phone. 

ECONOMIC UPDATE
Lt. Governor Jon Husted provided an update on Ohio’s economic landscape related to the recently announced 2020 Census count, the state’s current unemployment rate and workforce development efforts.

Presently, on OhioMeansJobs.com, there are 180,773 total jobs available and 92,866 of those jobs have a salary of over $50,000.

Additionally, workforce development programs, such as TechCred and IMAP, aim to upskill Ohioans, making businesses and the state more competitive.

“We have training programs available that can give you the skills you need to be ready to go to work at an in-demand, higher paying job in one month or less,” said Lt. Governor Husted.

INTERMEDIATE CARE HEALTH ORDER
Governor DeWine announced the Ohio Department of Health is rescinding the September 24, 2020 order that gave guidelines for indoor and outdoor visitation at intermediate care facilities. Intermediate care facilities should now follow current guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to determine appropriate access to the facility and resident visitation.

EQUITY UPDATE
The Ohio Department of Health, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, and Community Centers for the Deaf have translated important COVID-19 vaccination guidance and information into American Sign Language. These video segments are now available at coronavirus.ohio.gov.
 

CASE DATA/VACCINE INFORMATION

In-depth COVID-19 data for Ohio: coronavirus.ohio.gov. 
Ohio's central scheduling system: gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov
Ohio mass vaccination information:
    coronavirus.ohio.gov/massvaccinationclinics
All vaccine providers: vaccine.coronavirus.ohio.gov
More vaccine information: coronavirus.ohio.gov/vaccine

Video of today's full update, including versions with foreign language translation, can be viewed on the Ohio Channel's YouTube page. 

For more information on Ohio's response to COVID-19, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.

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COVID-19 Update: Vaccinations & Virus Spread

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine provided the following updates on Ohio's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

VACCINATIONS AND VIRUS SPREAD
As of today, 38 percent of Ohioans have received at least one coronavirus vaccination shot. Although cases have plateaued, virus variants are more contagious among those who have not been vaccinated.

"Just because the numbers are getting better and more people are getting vaccinated, the virus is now more dangerous than it was a few months ago for those who haven't been vaccinated," said Governor DeWine. 

"Unvaccinated Ohioans lack the same protection against this virus as those who are vaccinated," said Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, chief medical officer at the Ohio Department of Health. "The virus is now in more contagious forms that put younger people at much greater risk, including the risk of ending up in the hospital. Essentially, the new variants have evolved to stick much more easily to our cells, so it takes less of the virus and less exposure to make one sick.  Add to that the fact that more older Ohioans have been vaccinated, and it adds up to mean that if you’re young and unvaccinated, what may not have been much of a concern to you this fall should be a concern now." 

Dr. Vanderhoff also warned that Ohioans should not count on herd immunity until more people are vaccinated. 

The vaccine is now more widely available and there is no shortage. Ohioans can visit gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov to look for open appointments or call 833-4-ASK-ODH to book an appointment over the phone. Ohio's mass vaccination clinic at the Wolstein Center in downtown Cleveland is also now booking appointments for next week. First doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be offered. Appointments for the mass vaccination clinic can be booked via the aforementioned methods.

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COVID-19 Update: Johnson & Johnson Vaccine (April 16)

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted provided an update on Ohio's vaccination plans following the April 13th decision to pause the administration of the Johnson and Johnson (Janssen) vaccine. 

The majority of the Ohio's Johnson and Johnson doses were directed to mass vaccination clinics and to 63 public and private 4-year colleges and universities, most of which have already completed their student vaccinations. 

Of the mass vaccination clinics and college/university clinics that did plan to offer the Johnson and Johnson vaccine this week, most will proceed with their clinics by offering either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.  A total of eight sites will not offer any vaccines this week as the health community works to recognize, report, and manage any adverse events related to the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. 

There are many other local providers with open appointments for the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Visit gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov to look for open appointments.

Governor DeWine, Ohio Department of Health Director Stephanie McCloud, and Ohio Department of Health Chief Medical Officer Bruce Vanderhoff, M.D., directed all Ohio vaccine providers this morning to temporarily pause using the Johnson and Johnson vaccine following a recommendation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The recommendation was made after six people who received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine experienced an extremely rare blood-clotting condition in the United States. The cases have occurred in women between 18 and 48 and the reactions have taken place within 6-13 days after receiving the vaccine.

Approximately 6.8 million people have received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine in the U.S. 264,311 of those vaccinations were administered in Ohio.

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Ohio Department of Health Directors' Order, consolidation of all current orders (April 9)

Stephanie McCloud, Director of the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), formally issued a revised, all-encompassing health order April 8, while simultaneously rescinding the patchwork of health orders that have been issued over the last year. The new order can be read in full here.

Here are highlights:

Facial coverings or masks
With exceptions, all individuals in Ohio shall wear facial coverings at all times when:

• In any indoor location that is not a residence.
• Outdoors and unable to maintain a distance of six feet or more from individuals not in their household or family,
• Waiting for, riding, driver, or operating public transportation, a taxi, a car service or a ride-sharing vehicle. This does not apply to private or rental vehicles with members of the family or household.
• The order defines a facial covering or mask as any material covering an individual’s nose, mouth and chin.

Congregating, social distancing and sanitation
The new order states: “Individuals must avoid gathering in groups and attempt at all times to maintain social distancing. When gathered together, individuals should be in a group of no more than ten individuals that is separated from other groups by at least six feet. Each individual should perform a daily health assessment and stay home if you have a fever, cough, or other signs of possible corona virus.”

Large gatherings
The order states: “Organizers and managers should conduct the event in a manner that discourages individuals from standing or sitting close together in buildings or on other parts of the grounds or premises. Where possible, the organizers and managers should provide one-way traffic in buildings or other areas, where doing so will help people maintain social distancing.”

Signage and building ventilation
All businesses and organized gatherings, where possible, shall post clearly visible signage at all entrances stating that all persons entering are required to wear a face covering and engage in social distancing at all times.

Food and beverages
The order states:

• Patrons must be seated while actively eating and drinking
• Tables should be six feet apart and seat no more than 10 persons
• Facial coverings are to be worn when not seated
• It is recommended that at organized gatherings, areas be designated for tables and seating for food and drink consumption

Duration of the current order
The order is in effect now, and remains in full effect until the Director of the Ohio Department of Health rescinds or modifies the order. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has previously stated that once the state reduces the number of COVID-19 cases to 50 per 100,000 residents over a two-week period, the health orders will be rescinded.

Download the PDF

COVID-19 Update:Higher Education and Workplace Vaccinations, Increase in Variant Spread (April 2)

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted provided the following updates on Ohio's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

HIGHER EDUCATION VACCINATIONS
Governor DeWine announced April 1 that the state will begin working with local colleges and universities to offer vaccination clinics on campuses across the state. These higher-education vaccination clinics will start on various campuses next week and will offer the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. 

"Although young people are less likely to get sick from the coronavirus, they are significant carriers of the virus," said Governor DeWine. "By offering one-dose clinics on campus, students who wish to be vaccinated will have a nearby, convenient location to get the vaccine with their peers."

The goal is to offer on-campus clinics to all of Ohio's college students before the school year ends in May. 

WORKPLACE VACCINATIONS
Governor DeWine also announced that Ohio will begin working with employers and other organizations to offer workplace vaccination clinics throughout Ohio. Beginning the week of April 12, vaccine providers can allot up to 25 percent of their vaccine allocation to be used to vaccinate their own employees or to partner with local employers, labor unions, and other organizations to vaccinate their employees at their work locations. 

INCREASE IN CASES, VARIANT SPREAD
For the past two Thursdays, Ohio's statewide average was just under 150 cases per 100,000 population. The two-week case rate has now risen to 167.1 cases per 100,000. New cases had been relatively flat through the month of March, but cases are beginning to increase once again, which demonstrates the necessity that Ohioans choose to be vaccinated. To date, nearly 30 percent of Ohioans have received at least one dose of vaccine. 

According to Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, chief medical officer at the Ohio Department of Health, variant activity continues to rise, closely mirroring what is occurring in the rest of the nation. Michigan is currently experiencing an increase in cases that is more than 3.5 times what Ohio is seeing, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this increase appears to be driven substantially by variants. Most of Ohio's rising cases numbers and variant cases are happening in the area of the state bordering Michigan. 

"Ohio remains in a race against a virus that is now more contagious and right back on our heels," said Dr. Vanderhoff. "We can win this race as long as we don’t falter; as long as we press on with consistent masking and vaccination, especially in light of this week’s important and encouraging research out of the CDC confirming that the vaccines are powerful protection against COVID-19 and its variants."

Governor DeWine announced that as Ohio continues to receive increases in its vaccine allotment, the state will allot more doses to areas that are seeing case spikes or increases in vaccine demand. 

OHIO PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY SYSTEM
New health data compiled by the Ohio Department of Health shows case increases in 56 counties over the past week, however, because there are not yet significant increases in healthcare utilization at the county level, most counties stayed at the same level this week.

Level changes include:

• Van Wert County moved from yellow to orange.
• Auglaize, Paulding and Scioto moved from red to orange. 
• Carroll, Mercer, and Morgan counties moved from orange to yellow. 
• Clinton County dropped from red to yellow.

IN-DEMAND JOBS WEEK (MAY 3 – 7)
Lt. Governor Husted, in his capacity as Director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, also announced that In-Demand Jobs Week will officially take place May 3 through 7.

In-Demand Jobs Week is designed to promote Ohio’s most in-demand and fastest growing industries through statewide hiring, education, and training events. This year, In-Demand Jobs Week will feature all of Ohio’s top jobs, including critical jobs, which focus on the health and well-being of Ohioans such as child care workers, home health aides, and firefighters.

Throughout the week, businesses, education providers, community organizations, and more are encouraged to plan unique, virtual opportunities that will inspire students and job seekers to pursue a job in Ohio. From virtual tours and roundtables to virtual career-tech signing days and online job fairs, In-Demand Jobs Week is an opportunity to highlight what Ohio has to offer.

Organizations can visit TopJobs.Ohio.gov to add their event to the official In-Demand Jobs Week map. Individuals interested in attending an event can use this map to find events near them.

LAUNCH OF APRIL ROUND OF TECHCRED
The next round of TechCred closes on April 30 at 3:00 p.m.

Ohio businesses can visit TechCred.Ohio.gov to apply and help their employees earn a new tech-focused credential, at no cost.

More than 1,100 Ohio businesses have used TechCred, creating the opportunity for 19,841 technology-focused credentials to be earned by Ohio employees.

CASE DATA/VACCINE INFORMATION

• In-depth COVID-19 data for Ohio: coronavirus.ohio.gov. 
• Ohio's central scheduling system: gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov
• Ohio mass vaccination information: coronavirus.ohio.gov/massvaccinationclinics
• All vaccine providers: vaccine.coronavirus.ohio.gov
• More vaccine information: coronavirus.ohio.gov/vaccine

For more information on Ohio's response to COVID-19, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.

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COVID-19 UPDATE: Regional Mass Vaccination Sites, Vaccine Maintenance Program, BMV Website Redesign (MARCH 26)

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted provided the following updates on Ohio's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

CLEVELAND MASS VACCINATION SITE
As of March 24, more than 46,000 people have been vaccinated at the state-federal mass vaccination clinic at Cleveland State University's Wolstein Center. Next week will be the final segment of first doses vaccines.

REGIONAL MASS VACCINATION SITES
Next week, Ohio will open 11 stationary mass vaccination sites and four mobile clinics that will travel throughout specific regions of the state. 

VACCINE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
The Ohio Department of Aging has created the Vaccine Maintenance Program to ensure new residents and employees, and established residents and employees who previously decided not to receive a vaccine, can still choose to receive one.

"We are eager to partner with facilities across the state to ensure our long-term care residents and their caregivers are protected from COVID-19," said Governor DeWine.

The list of facilities includes nursing homes and assisted living facilities who have not indicated their willingness to participate in the Vaccine Maintenance Program or how they would make vaccinations available to their residents and staff.  

BMV WEBSITE REDESIGN
Lt. Governor Husted and the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) announced the launch of a vastly improved, more user-friendly BMV website. The redesign allows Ohio customers to have a faster, easier and more streamlined experience when they are using this resource.

"We've already heard from many Ohioans who have found the newly redesigned site to be cleaner, more efficient and much easier to use," said Lt. Governor Husted, who also serves as Director of InnovateOhio. "The teams at InnovateOhio and the BMV built this site with the customer in mind so that when someone visits BMV.Ohio.Gov, they can quickly find what they're looking for, get their question answered, and go on with their day."

The newly redesigned website features a number of enhanced tools including a simplified authentication process for logging in, a dynamic search function to help customers explore by keyword, and a new “My BMV” profile allowing the user to see the status of their driver’s license, organ donation options, driving record, and more, all on one page as compared to the more than ten pages it was previously. Additionally, Ohioans will have an easier time utilizing the site on their mobile device.

TEAM OHIO RECOGNITION
Lt. Governor Husted also announced that this week, Government Technology Magazine named its annual Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers. This program annually recognizes the work of innovators around the country to improve state and local government through technology. 

Along with 21 individuals, the magazine recognized four teams. Among those teams was “Team Ohio,” including Lt. Governor Husted and Ervan Rodgers, the State Chief Information Officer and Assistant Director of the Ohio Department of Administrative Services.

The magazine focused on the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, along with Ohio’s ongoing focus on making use of technology assets to improve the well-being of Ohioans and their health, property, security, livelihood, and prosperity.

OHIO PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY SYSTEM
New health data compiled by the Ohio Department of Health shows declining rates of COVID-19 exposure and spread in ten counties. 

Dropping from Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 2: Brown, Columbiana, Coshocton, Fulton, Lawrence, and Logan. 

Dropping from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 1: Holmes and Van Wert. 

JOB AND FAMILY SERVICES UPDATE
Governor DeWine announced a new agreement between the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and Google to conduct data analytics on all outstanding claims. Google will review claims for markers and patterns of fraud. This will allow the department to prioritize and quickly process legitimate, outstanding claims. 

Additionally, Governor DeWine announced that David DeVillers, former United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, will join the Public-Private Partnership Team (P3) as the law enforcement subject matter expert.  He will serve as a liaison between the department and local, state and federal law enforcement. 

CASE DATA/VACCINE INFORMATION

• In-depth COVID-19 data for Ohio: coronavirus.ohio.gov. 
• Ohio's central scheduling system: gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov
• All vaccine providers: vaccine.coronavirus.ohio.gov
• More vaccine information: coronavirus.ohio.gov/vaccine
• For more information on Ohio's response to COVID-19, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.

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COVID-19 Update: Declining Statewide Case Rate, Indoor Air Quality Assistance Program (March 19)

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine provided the following updates on Ohio's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

STATEWIDE CASE RATE
Governor DeWine announced that Ohio's statewide case rate stands at 143.8 cases per 100,000 people over the past two weeks. When Ohio reaches 50 cases per 100,000 people for two weeks, all health orders will be lifted. 

OHIO PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY SYSTEM
New health data compiled by the Ohio Department of Health shows declining rates of COVID-19 exposure and spread in ten counties. Dropping from Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 2: Ashtabula, Carroll, Fayette, Jackson, Morrow, and Tuscarawas. Dropping from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 1: Auglaize, Mercer, Shelby, and Vinton. 

NURSING HOME UPDATE
This week, Ohio’s long-term care facilities reported just 70 new COVID-19 cases, compared to 157 new cases reported the previous week and 2,832 new cases reported at the peak of the pandemic in December.

"In addition to wearing masks, social distancing, and cleaning, there is no doubt of the significant impact vaccination is having on protecting nursing home residents and preventing severe illness and death among those most targeted by the virus," said Governor DeWine. 

A total of 93 percent of Ohio’s nursing homes and 77 percent of assisted living facilities have signed up to get additional vaccine for new staff and new residents through Ohio’s COVID-19 Vaccine Maintenance Program. Governor DeWine urged the 243 facilities in Ohio that have not requested additional vaccine for new staff and residents to alert the state to its process to offer the vaccine by filling out the survey at aging.ohio.gov/COVIDvaccine.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation has expanded the eligibility of the COVID-19 Indoor Air Quality Assistance Program, which provides reimbursements to eligible applicants to help cover the costs of inspections, assessments, maintenance, and improvements to indoor heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to control the spread of COVID-19. The program also provides reimbursement for secondary devices designed to destroy bacteria, mold, and viruses.
Launched in December, this $28 million federally-funded program targeted nursing homes, assisted living centers, and adult day centers that invested in HVAC improvements that weaken COVID-19’s spread. The expanded eligibility extends to:

• Intermediate care facilities;
• Hospices;
• Senior centers;
• Adult care facilities;
• Waiver settings (group homes); and
• Substance use treatment centers.

More information, including the application, can be found at BWC.ohio.gov.

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Nursing Home Visitation, Statewide Case Rate, Rapid Testing, County Fairs (March 12)

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted on March 11 provided the following updates on Ohio's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

CLEVELAND MASS VACCINATION SITE

The Cleveland mass vaccination site, in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will launch on Wednesday, March 17, at Cleveland State University's Wolstein Center in downtown Cleveland. As of today, more than 17,000 Ohioans have registered to receive their vaccine at the site.

Additional appointments will become available throughout the coming days. To schedule an appointment at the Cleveland mass vaccination site, or with a vaccination provider, visit gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov. 

NURSING HOME VISITATION

Governor DeWine today discussed the new federal regulations for nursing home visitation, as well as Ohio’s Vaccine Maintenance Program. The visitation guidelines, issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) indicate visitation should be happening in nursing homes. There are a few specific exceptions that would limit visitation, such as outbreaks in the facility or an extreme number of cases in the community.  Full information on the federal nursing home visitation guidance is available at cms.gov. 

Additionally, Governor DeWine highlighted the progress being made by Ohio’s Vaccine Maintenance Program for nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Ohio’s Vaccine Maintenance Program ensures new nursing home residents and employees, and established residents and employees who previously decided not to receive a vaccine, can still choose to receive one. Governor DeWine emphasized the importance of every nursing home resident receiving a vaccine. 

Long-term care facility visitation status is available on the dashboard at coronavirus.ohio.gov.

STATEWIDE CASE RATE

Governor DeWine announced that, statewide, Ohio is currently at a rate of 155 cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 people during the past two weeks. Last week, statewide data put Ohio at 180 cases per 100,000 people. 

"In Ohio, we are still at a very elevated level of cases, but today's health data is certainly trending in the right direction," said Governor DeWine. 

In an evening address last week, Governor DeWine announced that when Ohio reached 50 cases per 100,000 people for two weeks, all health orders will be lifted. 

The Ohio Department of Health will update this data each Thursday.

RAPID TESTING 
Governor DeWine today detailed four initiatives that are making rapid COVID-19 tests more accessible to Ohioans:

• Federal Qualified Health Centers 
  • The state's ongoing partnership with federally qualified health centers has led to the availability of over 150,000 rapid tests at community health centers. These centers have professionals on-hand to administer the tests free of charge.
• Local Health Departments 
  • Local health departments have partnered with their communities to make at-home testing available to schools, nonprofit organizations, and first responders.
• Public Libraries 
  • The state has recently partnered with public libraries to make at-home tests available to more Ohio communities. During the first two weeks, Ohio has partnered with 120 libraries.
• K-12 Schools 
  • A new partnership launched today will bring 200,000 at-home tests to Educational Service Centers. To increase confidence and safety in schools, Governor DeWine encourages school districts to take advantage of this resource and develop aggressive testing plans.

Between libraries and local health departments, at-home testing is accessible in 76 of Ohio's 88 counties. Some of these areas had disproportionate access to testing earlier in the COVID-19 pandemic.

GUIDANCE ON FAIRS
Governor DeWine announced that the Ohio Department of Health issued a revised order that allows for the reopening of all fair activities if certain health conditions are met. The updated order includes compliance with the statewide mask order and social distancing. Additionally, there will be a 25 percent maximum for indoor grandstand capacity and a 30 percent maximum for outdoor grandstand capacity. 

Additionally, the Ohio Department of Health will issue updated order and guidance regarding festivals, parades, proms, and spring sports. For spring sports, students will not be required to quarantine because they have an incidental exposure to COVID-19 in a classroom unless symptoms develop. 

These orders and guidance will be forthcoming from the Ohio Department of Health.

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Governor DeWine’s Updates from March 2:

ODH Discussed discrepancies of death reporting: 

• Some issues a few weeks ago—promised a review of those issues
• Early in pandemic ODH and the state made the decision to try to get information to the public as quickly as possible
• Initially took the route of ‘fastest but maybe not most reliable’
• Reconciliation was not being kept up with
• Data is out of ODRS (Ohio Disease Reporting System) 
  • Designed to track person from point of illness to conclusion of illness
  • Relies on information from a number of sources (health departments, hospitals, etc.)
  • What it doesn’t provide is certainty—reliant on updates from data providers
  • EDRS (Electronic Death Registration System) to supplement
  • They would like to rely on EDRS for primary source for death data—it is the gold standard
• Implemented some Quality Assurance changes 
  • Re-evaluate death reporting system
  • Department is committed to sharing as much real-time information as possible but will be doing this only with accuracy
  • ODRS is outdated and needs replaced (was slated to be replaced last March but COVID hampered that)
  • Looking to move toward a system where data comes from EDRS instead of ODRS for death
• Death data will now be updated 2x/week (not a specific day, but the day that they receive data back from CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics)
• Data could fluctuate because of the switch from one system to the other
• Minor changes to dashboards 
  • Data team walked through each dashboard
  • Days that deaths won’t be updated, number will be reported as “0”

Governor DeWine’s Updates from Feb. 22:

• Update on Weather-Related Vaccine Delivery Delays: Some Pfizer shipments were delivered last week despite the bad weather, but all Moderna shipments were delayed.
• Some providers used second doses that they had received already so they didn’t have to cancel clinics that they had scheduled.  Those second doses will be backfilled with the shipments they receive this week.
• Additional delayed shipments of Pfizer and Moderna will arrive between today and Wed. For providers who canceled appointments, they have urged them to expand their appointment schedules, including evening/weekend hours, to catch up & continue to get more vaccines out to Ohioans.
• Our efforts to protect Ohio’s most vulnerable population are working.  Last week, long-term care facilities reported 343 new cases - this is compared to the 2,832 new cases when case numbers peaked in December.  We are definitely making progress.
• CMS guidelines have been limiting visitation within nursing homes. It is contingent on positivity rate for the county, testing within a facility and current cases.  Today Governor DeWine is sending a letter to each nursing facility to remind them to:
  • Check county positivity rate every week to determine visitation status
  • Allow for compassionate care visits
• Ohio’s facilities are required to report in weekly and update our visitation dashboard to indicate if visitation is allowed at their facility. Families can access the visitation dashboard here
• Two counties are below the CDC’s High Incidence count (Holmes and Vinton Counties-- <100 cases per 100k)
• Town halls will be available on Ohiochannel.org 
• Age is the top indicator of the likelihood of death from COVID-19. 87% of all deaths in Ohio are of those ages 65 and older. As Ohio moves forward in vaccination plan, they will hold at age 65+ until they have satisfied the vaccine demand in this age group.
• As Ohio moves forward, Ohio will open up vaccinations to age 60+, then 55+, then 50+. Those 50+ make up 97-98% of all COVID-19 deaths in Ohio. In addition, they are also looking at certain small groups that, because of exposure, may potentially be added in with the 60+ group.
• Governor DeWine is asking hospitals/doctors with access to the vaccine to proactively reach out to their patients whom they know have these medical conditions so that these vulnerable Ohioans can get their vaccines ASAP. Vaccine eligibility opened up to this group last week.

Governor DeWine’s Updates from Feb. 16:

• Update about road conditions after last night’s storm — thank you to all local and state crews working to keep the roads clear
• Some vaccine providers have canceled appointments due to the snow emergencies, but many are continuing to vaccinate.  If you haven’t heard from  your provider and are concerned if your appointment is still scheduled, please contact your provider or visit their website.
• Vaccine shipments are still continuing to come directly from Pfizer and Moderna but could be delayed 1-2 days.  Smaller shipments from the RSS warehouse are being delivered on a 2 hour delay.
   
• Central Scheduling:
  • Ohio chose to build its own system because the federal government’s system would not work for Ohio.  The first phase for launching the system is complete.  The site has been developed and is functional and ready from a technical standpoint.  
  • Goal is for all Ohioans to have a positive customer experience when the website is launched to make appointments. Those interested in getting vaccinated will be able to put their zip code in and pull up appointments within 20 miles.
  • For those that cannot utilize the internet, Ohio has requested assistance from Area Agencies on Aging.
     
• Hospitalizations continue to go down.  Positive news with case counts and numbers.

Governor DeWine’s Updates from Feb. 11:

• Over 50% of Ohio COVID deaths have been of most vulnerable citizens in our nursing homes. That's why the decision was made to get them vaccinated ASAP. This strategy is working. The number of COVID cases in our nursing homes has dropped dramatically.

• Hospitalizations continue going down, and a big reason for this is that those in our nursing homes have been vaccinated.
• Thanks to a sustained decrease in COVID-19 hospitalizations, Ohio’s curfew has been lifted. If hospitalizations begin rising again, ODH may reinstate it. It's crucial that we all continue safety protocols to #SlowtheSpread and prevent hospitalizations from going up.
  First Vaccine doses received in Ohio: 
  • This week: 214,525 (Pfizer & Moderna: 178,722; federal retail pharmacy resource: 35,800)
  • Next week: 223,025
• Update on the federal retail pharmacy program.  Doses going to: 
  • 160 Rite Aid stores
  • All (194) Kroger locations in Ohio
  • 36 Independent pharmacies (increase of 17 providers)
• Of note, 71 of the deaths would have been the normal cases reported (650 deaths from reconciliation)
• As part of Gov. DeWine’s commitment to reduce the number of lives lost to COVID-19, Gov. DeWine directed ODH and health care providers to prioritize people with developmental disabilities and severe medical conditions for vaccination. 
  • Today it is estimated that over 12,000 individuals in this category have been vaccinated. Gov. DeWine will continue to work with local partners to make sure that this population has access to the vaccine.
  • Next week, Ohioans with certain conditions they were born with or those who were diagnosed in childhood and carried into adulthood will be able to begin receiving COVID-19 vaccines.  Individuals with these conditions face a significantly higher risk for adverse COVID-19 outcomes.
• Lt. Governor John Husted announced that Apprentice Ohio hit a benchmark since he and Gov. DeWine took office: 5,000 Ohioans have graduated from their apprenticeship program.

Governor DeWine’s Updates from Feb. 9:

Ohio Rent Assistance 

• Ohio Development is distributing the funding among Ohio’s 47 Community Action Agencies.  Eligible Ohioans may contact their local Community Action Agency for assistance. (Find a list at businesshelp.ohio.gov) 
• With this flexible funding, individual schools make decisions about what their students need most.  So far, more than one in four of the initiatives have been focused on mental health services.  Almost one in seven initiatives are focused on physical health services.
• We worked with the General Assembly to request that the state Controlling Board approve $100 million in federal funding to help low-income Ohioans who do not own their own home pay their rent, water, sewer, wastewater, electric, gas, oil and/or trash removal bills.
• Assistance can go toward outstanding balances dating back to March 13, 2020, assistance for future rent/utility payments once back bills have been made current, and assistance for future rent and utility assistance for 3 months at a time.

• Vaccine distribution for next week (eligible Ohioans—all residents >65, teachers, and those with developmental disabilities)—Ohio will be receiving:  
  • Moderna 114,100 
  • Pfizer 73,125

Governor DeWine’s Updates from Feb. 4:

• Vaccine Update
  • Pfizer: Vaccine available is increasing by about 40%. By the end of March, amount should double as to what we are receiving, 73,000 doses every week.
  • Moderna: 73,200 two weeks ago to 105,600 doses for next week
  • Ohio is in top 5 states in delivering vaccine to LTC residents
• Data Collection (information for Providers)
  • Make a concerted effort to include information about race for vaccination
• Numbers
  • There are 2,252 people in our hospitals right now because of COVID, but these numbers are dropping. A week from today we'll look at these numbers again, and if the trend continues, we may be able to remove the curfew if numbers stay under 2,500 for 7 straight days. Alert map: Same as previous week
• Opioid settlement
  • Ohio one of the first states to file against opioid manufacturers and distributors
  • Settlement money goes into foundation and out to the local level
• Update on unemployment
  • Ohioans are seeing the new federal money they are due and those who haven’t yet, will soon. So far this week, we have paid out nearly $100 million to more than 110,000 Ohioans receiving traditional unemployment.
  • This represents some extended weeks of benefits plus an additional $300 a week, which were included with the new federal aid. Starting this Saturday, more than 155,000 Ohioans will also start seeing benefits from this new federal aid package.
  • This includes new people who recently lost a job as a result of the pandemic as well as Ohioans who continue to be impacted due to the pandemic.
  • By the last week in February, everyone will have the ability to claim all the weeks and supplements available under the law and receive the benefits they are owed.
  • ODJFS asked President of Ohio Business Roundtable (former U.S. Representative Pat Tiberi) to assist with resources in fraud detection, call centers, and claims processing. Public/private partnership team formed to include experts on loan from top banking institutions in Ohio (5/3 bank, Nationwide, Western and Southern, Key bank, and Cobra Insurance). 16 individuals working on this team to improve the process.

Governor DeWine’s Updates from Feb. 3:

• Important dates in phase 1B of Ohio's vaccination program at vaccine.coronavirus.ohio.gov. That website also contains information for info on which providers have received vaccines. Demand is currently much higher than supply, so please continue following safety protocols until the vaccine is more widely available.
• Reminder: Those 70 and older, teachers/school personnel necessary for in-person learning, and those in the first phase are all currently eligible for the vaccine.
• By and large, hospitalizations are continuing to drop in Ohio.
• Further, we have a plan in place to continue vaccinating in both our nursing homes and in our assisted living facilities as new residents move in.
• We have 920 skilled nursing facilities in Ohio. We have given the first dose in all of these facilities and have given the second dose in 89% of those facilities. We have 645 assisted living facilities with first doses in 86% of these facilities and second doses in 48%.
• We learned this morning some vaccines given by Walgreens in 5 long-term care facilities yesterday had not been stored under the proper cold storage conditions. These individuals will be revaccinated. These are the five facilities: 
  • Willow Park Convalescent Home in Cleveland.
  • Six Chimneys om East Cleveland; 
  • Heather Hill Care Communities in Chardon;
  • Ashtabula Towers in Ashtabula;
  • Ashtabula Co Residential Services Corp "The Maples" in Kingsville;
     
• The pandemic has highlighted inequities in our healthcare system. There are Ohioans who simply do not have equal access to healthcare. We've worked to address these gaps, especially in our efforts to roll out the vaccine, but it's a work in progress. There is more to do.
• Many of our local health departments are prioritizing underserved populations by partnering with organizations that work to serve African American, Hispanic & Latino, and other underserved populations to provide education and offer opportunities for vaccination.
• Those at ODH are also working with partners at the Ohio Medicaid to provide transportation options to make sure there are no barriers for those who want to receive a vaccine.
• We are listening to our Minority Health Vaccine Advisory Group, and with their feedback, we will continue to gain a better understanding of the barriers to vaccination and this will help develop solutions. One example of this work is our launch of a series of virtual town halls.
  • These will begin live-streaming the week of Feb. 22. You can find more information on how to participate in these events on the coronavirus.ohio.gov.
• Next week, we will also host six vaccine events in senior affordable housing complexes.

Governor DeWine’s Updates from Jan. 28:

• This week, those with intellectual or developmental disabilities and these medical conditions have begun receiving their vaccinations. This population is being contacted directly about where to get vaccinated.
• Ohioans 75+ are also currently eligible to be vaccinated. On Monday, Feb. 1, vaccinations will open to Ohioans 70 and older.
• Hamilton County is no longer purple. The rest of the state remains the same.
• COVID-related hospitalizations are at 2,829. Tonight we start the 11 p.m. curfew b/c we have had 7 days in a row below 3,500 hospitalizations. We will look at these numbers again in 2 weeks to potentially move to a midnight curfew or eliminate the curfew completely.
   
• School Update: 
  • Here is Ohio's current K-12 breakdown of in-person vs. remote.
    
  • One of the goals for our vaccine distribution has been to get kids back in school by March 1.  Every public school in the state has agreed to go back to class in person by March 1 – except for one.
  • To help schools return safely to in-person education, we have prioritized vaccinating K-12 school employees. This includes teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, custodians - anyone who is in that school building.
  • Visit vaccine.coronavirus.ohio.gov for info on which providers have received vaccines. Demand is currently much higher than supply, so please continue following safety protocols until the vaccine is more widely available.
  • We’ve tried to make this simple for K-12 staff to get vaccinated. Most K-12 staff in a county will be vaccinated within 7 days. The goal is to maximize the capacity of local vaccination partners. 
  • We have a limited supply of vaccine. We have pulled vaccine from our statewide allocation specifically for vaccinating our K-12 staff. There just isn’t enough to do every school in the first week. We must be able to also vaccinate older Ohioans in February.
  • This is a logistical issue. The plan we’ll announce will ensure that counties can vaccinate the maximum number of people in the shortest amount of time.
  • Local educational service centers are working with local health departments and retail pharmacies to facilitate vaccinations that are convenient for school staff.
  • Why is it so important to get our kids physically back in the classroom ASAP? 
    • Remote learning is taking its toll on some students. CDC recognizes that beyond getting sick, many adolescents’ social-emotional and mental well-being has been impacted by this pandemic.
    • Youth are presenting across the state with more acute mental health symptoms during the pandemic than normally experienced.
    • When kids aren’t in school, the change of routine & constant uncertainty produces anxiety. Disconnection from learning, emotional, and social supports can lead to depression. Missed significant life events – like proms and sports competitions - can result in grief.
  • Reach out for help if a young person is:
    • Talking about feeling hopeless
    • Worrying about being a burden
    • Feeling like there’s no reason to live
    • Using drugs/alcohol or engaging in other risky behaviors
    • Struggling with school
    • Disconnecting from family/friends
  • Ohio’s CareLine is available 24/7 and is staffed with licensed behavioral health professionals: 1-800-720-9616

Governor DeWine’s Updates from Jan. 26:

• Current Vaccine Distribution:
  • Ohio has been averaging about 146,000 1st doses coming into Ohio every week. As Ohio begins finishing up Phase 1A, more doses will be available for those in Phase 1B. 
  • Because Ohio is not drawing down all the vaccine doses that the federal gov't required us to set aside for nursing homes (because not all residents/staff are choosing to receive the vaccine), we will have another 77,000 doses over the next 2 weeks to distribute in the community.
  • Ohio has 953 nursing homes in Ohio. We are 2nd in the nation for the number of people vaccinated in nursing homes.
  • Those with developmental disabilities but not in state-run facilities: 5,500 people have been vaccinated so far.
  • State-run developmental centers: 89% of residents have accepted the vaccine.
  • State-run psychiatric hospitals: 73% of long-term patients have accepted the vaccine.
  • State-run veterans homes: 92% of veterans have accepted the vaccine.
• Update for Schools:
  • Ohio will begin school staff vaccinations this week. Ohio’s first school system—Cincinnati Public Schools—will begin their vaccination rollout in just a few days. Many other districts will begin next week, but we do not have enough vaccine to begin all schools on Feb. 1.
  • Ohio's ultimate plan is that anyone who works in a school in Ohio will have the opportunity to get their first shot in the month of February.
  • Schools that will get vaccines next week have already been contacted. All other schools should expect to be contacted by Friday with more information.
• Our cases are still very high, but they are going down some.
• The coronavirus is extremely unpredictable. We have a new "midwest variant" of the virus, and we are concerned that it could become the dominant strain in Ohio — this variant is much more contagious.
• We must keep practicing safety protocols. Our case numbers are improving because of what you are doing — and what you're not doing. More people are wearing masks. Please continue wearing masks.
• Curfew Updates:
  • If Ohio has 7 straight days of hospitalizations below 3,500, we will go to an 11 p.m. curfew for at least 2 weeks. So far, we have had 6 straight days below this number.
  • If hospitalizations drop below 3,000 for 7 consecutive days, we plan to move to a midnight curfew for at least 2 weeks.
  • If hospitalizations drop below 2,500 for 7 consecutive days, we feel believe that we will be able to drop the curfew.
  • Keep in mind that hospitalizations are a lagging indicator — this means that if these numbers go back up, we would likely need to act quickly to reinstitute the appropriate safety measures.
• Important dates in phase 1B of Ohio's vaccination program.  Visit https://vaccine.coronavirus.ohio.gov/ for info on which providers have received vaccines. Demand is currently much higher than supply, so please continue following safety protocols until the vaccine is more widely available.

Governor DeWine’s Updates from Jan. 12:

• 85% of nursing facilities have been visited by pharmacy companies
• Veteran homes
  • Sandusky: 92% of eligible veterans have been vaccinated and 60% of staff
  • Georgetown: 92% of eligible veterans have been vaccinated and 42% of staff
• Starting next week: vaccinating those 80+
  • On January 25th, we anticipate vaccinations will open up to those 75 years old and older. The following week, it should open to people 70 and older, and on February 8th, the vaccinations are expected to be available to those 65 and older.
  • When a new age range opens, that doesn’t mean that vaccinations should be complete for the previous age range.  Again, it will take a number of weeks to distribute all of the vaccine given the limited doses available.
• Hospitals have been vaccinating medical personnel—must be finished vaccinating medical personnel by midnight Sunday
• Total of 800 providers who, beginning next week, will be making the vaccine available to those 80+ 
• Asked LHDs to partner with EMAs to hold press conferences or otherwise notify the media (Wednesday or Thursday)
  • Locations where those 80+ can get vaccinated
• Shipments will arrive Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
  • Won’t be known until this weekend which provider will receive it on what date
• Each provider is to complete vaccinations 
• Also the week of the January 25th, vaccinations will be available to those with severe congenital, developmental, or early-onset medical disorders.  We will announce in the coming days how those individuals will be able to receive their vaccinations if they choose.
• As we move to get more and more of our seniors vaccinated, if you are a senior and having a problem, one of our key partners will be our Area Agencies on Aging.
  • While the Area Agencies on Aging are not the ones putting shots in the arms, they are the ones to call if you are 65 and over and have questions about vaccines.
  • Those questions could include concerns about the safety of the vaccine or how you can get to the provider in your area that is offering the vaccine.  They will help answer your questions and connect you with the providers.
  • The aging network’s priority is to get our seniors the vaccine, and then they’ll be there, as well, if for those who need to follow up.  For more information, please visit aging.ohio.gov or call 1-866-243-5678
• Today, Governor DeWine signed an order authorizing 580 Ohio National Guard Soldiers and Airmen into state active duty. This activation allows them to begin training in preparation to assist during the presidential inauguration in Washington D.C. This group will also assist in Ohio. 

Governor’s DeWine Press Conference - Jan. 14

• As of today, 361,603 vaccines have been given in Ohio. We don't have enough vaccines in Ohio right now, but we hope our allotment will increase in the future - but as of right now we must deal with this scarcity.
• Our goal is to eventually vaccinate anyone in Ohio who wants a vaccination. We must take this one week at a time. We want to save lives, get our kids back to school, and protect our frontline medical responders. These goals drive every decision we make.
• This coming week we will start vaccinating those in the public who are 80+. We have 750 provider locations across the state and approx. 100,000 vaccines. Beginning Tues, Wed, and Thurs, (depending on delivery date) these vaccines will be available.
• Yesterday and today local health departments and emergency management agencies have held press conferences or sent notifications to media to begin to notify residents about where to sign up to get vaccinated.
• All local health departments should also have this information on their website by tomorrow morning. Tomorrow we'll also launch a tool on coronavirus.ohio.gov where Ohioans can select their county or their ZIP code and see a list of providers that received vaccine.
• As Ohio begins to receive bigger allotments of vaccines, we will move to have larger vaccination sites in addition to individual vaccination sites.
• Ohio is also in the process of working on a state scheduling system
• This week, we are noting some small changes in Ohio Advisory System alert map. We’re not necessarily seeing a dramatic surge after Christmas and the New Year, but there is a bit of an upswing in our cases. Reflecting this, Hamilton County is moving to purple this week.
• There are also two counties that are moving up to the Watch List b/c of increases in healthcare utilization:
  • Lorain
  • Clermont
• The new cases per capita at the statewide level has increased since last week - this is not good. We were already at a very elevated level at 657 cases per capita last week, and now we’re close to 740.
• On the other hand, the portion of ICU patients with COVID has gone down slightly. ICU use is a lagging indicator, so this is still coming down from our pre-holiday peak. However, it does look as though our cases are starting to increase again.

Governor DeWine’s Updates – Jan. 7:

• Case numbers have jumped dramatically
• All 88 counties remain well above the high incidence level (Lucas: 607.2 per 100,000)
• More info on Phase 1B: On Tuesday, January 19th vaccinations will be available to those who are 80 years of age and older. Those 80 and older, outside of long-term care, constitute up to 420,000 people. We expect to receive 100,000 doses that first week.
  • Those receiving vaccines will receive them from physicians, local health departments, hospitals, federally-qualified health centers, in-home health service providers, as well as some retail pharmacies.
• Monday a webinar will be held for vaccine providers
  • Tuesday, those selected providers will be notified and will receive information about the size of their allocation.
  • Wednesday and Thursday—local EMA’s to hold press conference as to where vaccines are available in each county and how to obtain them.
  • Some providers may require appointments, some may hold drive-up clinics, or take walk-ins, but we expect every provider to clearly state how they will administer vaccinations to eligible individuals.
  • On Thursday, we will launch an online tool on coronavirus.ohio.gov where individuals will be able to see who is distributing vaccinations in their counties to what eligible group. Again, as more vaccinations are available, more providers will be added.
  • Vaccines are usually delivered Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of each week.  Anticipate providers that receive vaccines on Monday will begin distributing on Tuesday.  Those that receive on Tuesday will begin distributing on Wednesday, etc. 
• It will take a number of weeks for those 80+ to be vaccinated
• Plan is to add 5 years each week. For example, anticipated January 25, 75+ and February 2, 70+, etc.
• In the week of January 25, vaccinations will be available to those with severe congenital, developmental, or early-onset medical disorders. We will announce in the coming days how those individuals will be able to receive their vaccinations if they choose.
• During the week of February 1, we will begin to vaccinate our school personnel. This week we are sending forms to be signed by superintendents - we are asking them to agree to go back to full in-person or hybrid learning by March 1st. That is a condition of getting the vaccine.
  • We will be asking schools to send us the number of staff they believe will choose to take the vaccination and indicate if they are already working with partners for vaccine administration.
• Extended the deadline for use of broadband connectivity monies for schools until December 31, 2021.

Governor’s DeWine Press Conference - Jan. 5

• As of Sunday, 61% of nursing homes received their first visit from a pharmacy to receive their vaccines -- those who wanted to receive the vaccine were able to get it. But only 40% of staff have been taking the vaccine when it's offered. With residents, it is around 75-80%.
• Beginning Friday, many at nursing homes who received their first dose will begin receiving their second dose. Those who didn't choose to receive a dose in the first round can get their 1st dose then. Afterward, it could be a while before there is another chance for the vaccine.
• Director of Ohio Department of Aging (Ursel McElcroy) discussed efforts to encourage residents/staff at nursing facilities to get the vaccine to protect themselves, their families, and their communities.
• 1A and 1B Vaccination Goals:
  • Save lives and protect most vulnerable
  • Protect those who protect us in the healthcare field
  • Get kids back to school by March 1
• Roughly 1 million people in phase 1A
• Phase 1B focuses, in part, on those 65+. Those in this age bracket are those who are most at risk. We hope in approximately 2 weeks from now that we'll begin on this group.
• Estimated population of Phase 1B (also includes K-12 staff and teachers)
  • 85+-- approx. 220,000 people
  • 75-84—approx. 580,000 people
  • 65-74—approx. 1,000,000 people
  • Severe, congenital, developmental or early onset medical disorders—approx. 77,000 people
  • K-12 teachers and staff—approx. 334,000 people
  • Total: approx. 2,211,000 people
• Lucas County rate: 630.6 per 100,000 (actual cases: 2,701)
• Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff: 
  • We are riding a very high wave of COVID-19 in Ohio. Our testing positivity is climbing, hospitalizations across the state (which had dropped) have now jumped back up. Ohio now has 3x the hospitalizations we had on Nov. 1 and almost 7x the number from Oct. 1.
  • Our hospitals are extremely busy and we haven't yet begun to see what the impact may be from the holiday. We have a lot of road ahead and we can't forget COVID-19 safety
  • Regarding the UK virus variant that you may have heard about, when we think about any virus, we have to remember that it is usual for viruses to change over time. Most virus variants aren't very important b/c they don't change the behavior of the virus.
  • However, the new UK variant of the virus is notable b/c it appears to be more contagious than other variants, but it doesn't appear to be more severe or to impact those who are already immune. Nevertheless a more contagious virus worries us b/c it could lead to more getting sick.
  • This variant has reached the US and will undoubtedly reach Ohio too. This reinforces the fact that we must continue our safety measures - wear a mask, social distance, avoid crowds, wash hands, get your vaccine when it's available.
• The deadline for the Bar and Restaurant Assistance Fund has been EXTENDED to January 31! There are still more than 4,600 permit holders eligible for this funding.

Update from Tuesday, December 15, 2020:

• Today vaccine has arrived at:
  • Mercy Health Springfield Regional Medical Center
  • Ohio Health Riverside Methodist Hospital
  • Aultman Hospital in Canton
  • Mercy Health St. Vincent Medical Center
  • Genesis Hospital in Zanesville
  • Metro Health in Cleveland
  • Cleveland Clinic
• Yesterday University of Cincinnati and OSU Wexner Medical Center started vaccinating healthcare professionals.  Vaccinations continue today
• Vaccine Deliveries
  • Pfizer
    • This week: 98,475.
    • Next week: 123,000
    • Week of New Year’s: 148,000
  • Moderna
    • Next Week: 201,900
    • Week of New Year’s: 89,000
  • All total, Ohio should receive more than 420,000 vaccines by Christmas
• Interviewed a lot of individuals regarding vaccination
• Reporting numbers:
  • Reporting 8,755 new cases, 103 deaths, and 614 new hospitalizations. 74 new ICU admissions reported
  • Lucas County: rate of 946.4 per 100,000
  • 29 counties with a case rate of >1,000
  • While there is good reason to be optimistic about the vaccine, we still must work to slow the spread until enough Ohioans can be vaccinated to prevent overwhelming our hospitals.
  • We now have more patients—just in the ICU—than we had total for all hospitalized patients during the peak in summer
• LHDs should coordinate vaccinating congregate care residents and staff, such as those at nursing homes and assisted living facilities, who are not enrolled in the federal long-term care pharmacy programs or are not registered as providers themselves. This congregate care group also includes people with developmental disabilities and those with mental health disorders, including substance use disorders, who live in group homes, residential facilities, or centers, as well as staff. In addition, local health departments should prioritize vaccinating other health care providers who are not being vaccinated by hospitals and health systems and not enrolled as a provider, themselves.

Update from Thursday, December 17, 2020:

• Updated Advisory System map:  We have one county continuing at purple: Richland. Miami County is new to the watch list. Wyandot County is red for first for the first time ever.
• We’re seeing counties move to Watch List and then purple when we’re seeing worsening trends in cases and healthcare indicators, and then a return to red when these all plateau at a very critical level.
• Every county is at least 3x what the CDC considers high incidence.
• Counties in the top 20 are 9x to 13x higher than what the CDC considers high incidence.
• Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff: As we look at what is happening in our ICUs, we can see that the ICUs have critical volumes of patients with COVID-19. We can't let this get any worse. We can't let our guard down for one minute.
• Tomorrow as part of the federal program to vaccinate nursing home residents and staff, facilities in Ohio will be among the first in the nation to receive vaccines through Walgreen’s, CVS, PharmScript and Absolute Pharmacy.
• Ohio was invited by the CDC to participate in the scaling up of the federal program and we couldn’t be more excited.
• We're seeing more schools that were open five days a week start to pull back b/c of the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
  • Of kids in public schools today:
    • 27.9% are in-person
    • 45.2% are fully remote
    • 26.1% are hybrid
    • (1 district is closed)
• Today ODH is releasing the 2019 Infant Mortality Report. It shows that the number of Ohio infants who died before their first birthdays dropped to 929 last year, a third straight year of decline.

Highlights from Governor DeWine’s Dec. 4 Update:
Today, we’re reporting 10,114 new cases, which is our highest number in over a week, and our 4th highest ever. Hospital admissions are at 392. Today is the third highest day for deaths reported at 129.

• Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff: 
  • Quarantine only works when we actually stick with it. Knowing this and knowing how hard it is to quarantine for 14 days, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been carefully evaluating emerging data.
  • That, and our growing confidence in testing, has allowed them to offer two new options for quarantining:
    • A 10-day option that does not require testing, provided there are no symptoms.
    • And a 7-day option with a negative test, again w/ no symptoms.
  • We ask people to quarantine - to stay in their homes for several days - after they have had close contact w/ someone w/ COVID. This helps prevent spread of the disease, because it can be carried and transmitted by people even if they never show symptoms. When reducing the quarantine period in this manner, consider getting tested on day eight or later to increase certainty that you are not infected. However, do not end quarantine before the end of the 10-day period. Quarantine can be reduced further, to seven days, if you have no symptoms and receive a negative test on day five or later. In every case — whether quarantining for 14 days, or 10, or seven — maintain social distance of at least 6 feet and wear a mask when around others. Keep an eye out for any symptoms for the full 14-day period. If you become sick or test positive for COVID-19, stay home and self-isolate — that means staying at home and in a separate room from others.
• The plan for vaccine distribution will continue to be fine-tuned, but objectives are:
  1. To save lives
  2. Slow the spread of the virus
  3. Ensure those on frontline receive the vaccine quickly
• Phase 1A of distribution priorities (in no particular order)
  • Healthcare workers and personnel who are involved in the care of COVID-19 patients
  • EMS responders
  • Vulnerable individuals who live together in close proximity and those who care for them
• Estimate of vaccine arrivals (The federal government has made clear that we will not know for sure how many vaccines are coming until closer to the time the shipments are coming.)
• Pfizer shipping 9,750 vaccines to hospitals and 88,725 to Walgreens/CVS to go to congregate care centers
• Moderna shipping 201,000.  These will go to the 98 hospitals and 108 health departments.  On the same day, a tentative 123,000 vaccines will be distributed by Pfizer to continue vaccinating nursing homes and staff
• Shortly after Dec 22, it is expected for 148,000 from Pfizer and 89,000 from Moderna

Highlights from Governor DeWine's Dec. 3 Update:

• “Each life that has been lost matters. You deserve - and your families deserve - to live your lives safely, to have peace of mind, and to get back to normal. That's what we all want. We can get there if we all work together to eradicate this virus and end the pandemic.” –Gov. DeWine
• Ohio is still in discussions with the federal government about how much vaccine we will receive and when. The situation is fluid, and Gov. DeWine will provide more information soon.
• As of today, there are 5,142 patients who are currently hospitalized, and 1,204 of those patients are in the ICU.
• Today we are reporting 8,921 new cases in Ohio, which is the fifth-highest case count we’ve seen in this pandemic. 
• 396 new hospitalizations and 33 new ICU admissions reported in the last 24 hours. 
• 82 deaths reported since yesterday.
• Holmes County is the county with the least amount of COVID occurrence—it is still almost 3x the CDC’s high incidence rate
• Dr. Andy Thomas of OSU Wexner Medical Center:
  • We still haven't seen the impact of Thanksgiving in our hospital numbers. Usually, people are admitted a week after they're diagnosed. This is not the beginning of the end. This is not even the end of the beginning.
  • We're in a really difficult spot here, and we're just now heading into the most challenging 3 months of this pandemic. ICU beds are the area of capacity where we have the biggest strain across the state - especially in rural areas.
• Dr. Nora Colburn, Associate Medical Director for Clinical Epidemiology at OSU Wexner Medical Center:
  • We're in crisis. Hospitals across Ohio are running out of beds. Healthcare workers are burned out and stretched thin. Our hospitals are stressed to the extreme and we haven't even seen the infections resulting from Thanksgiving.
  • We will be overwhelmed if things don't change. Hospitals around the state are delaying non-emergency procedures. This will impact routine healthcare. People need their diagnostic screening procedures.
  • The bottom line is - non-COVID patients are being crowded out of the system and won't be able to get the care they need to stay healthy. We all must do our part to stop the spread of the virus.
  • Guidance from ID docs that met yesterday:
    • Stay at home
    • Wear a mask indoors and outdoors around others
    • Work from home
    • Don’t eat or drink with anyone outside of your household
    • Do not attend gatherings or visit individuals that are not inside your household
    • Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face
• This is the first week since April where Ohio’s positivity for COVID-19 has increased above 15%. Ohio's travel advisory recommends Ohioans stay home except for necessary trips for supplies, as well as consistent mask-wearing and frequent hand washing.
• Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff:
  • Ohio's positivity rate of 15% should be a wake-up call. This virus spreads between people when we're near each other. For a little while, we need to stay apart. That means we have to stay home unless it's absolutely necessary.
  • When we must go out, we have to wear a mask every time, all the time. Together I know we can slow this down until the vaccines arrive.
• Purple Counties: Lake, Lorain, Montgomery.  NEW: Medina, Portage, Richland, Stark, Summit
• On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I want to remind everyone that there are times when someone with a disability might not be able to wear a mask – for example, a person who has trouble breathing or someone who cannot remove a face mask without assistance.
  • While it’s crucial for all of us who can wear face masks to do so, let’s remember that when we see someone in public without a mask it may be someone with a disability who may not be able to wear one.
• Vaccine Update:
  • Pfizer first shipment likely Dec 15
  • Second vaccine potentially available Dec 22
• Dr Thomas (OSU Wexner Medical Center)—update from the zone call this morning
  • Ohio crossed a threshold again 5,000 cases hospitalized
  • There are a lot of concerns about ICU capacity - more hospitals are voicing concerns about their ability to manage so many ICU patients. One of every 3 people on a ventilator has COVID. They'll crowd out other people who need that care if the numbers continue to rise.
• There’s a new program to help improve indoor air quality and reduce COVID transmission for residents in nursing homes, assisted living centers, and adult day centers.
  • Eligible recipients can receive up to $15,000 to address indoor air quality through HVAC inspections, portable air filtration systems, new filtration systems, maintenance on current systems, and other interventions.
  • More information at bwc.ohio.gov
     
• “I'm asking every Ohioan to continue to pull back and limit your activities. There is a cause and effect to what we do - we can slow this down. The scariest thing is that there is no indication that we have plateaued. We haven't seen anything like this for 100 years.”
  – Gov. DeWine

View all press conference slides from 24 March to present

Highlights from Governor DeWine’s Nov. 19 Update:

• ODH made a decision to double-check all antigen test results, so the 24-hour case change is low. The data team tells us there are 12,000 antigen tests that have not yet been double-checked. Most of the 12,000 are expected to be confirmed.
• Vinton county (lowest county in spread—nearly 2x the high incidence rate)
• We have four counties with 1,000 cases per 100,000 or more. That means that about one out of every 100 people in those four counties has the virus and could be actively spreading it in their communities.
  • Lucas County at 597.6 per 100,000
• Testing has gone up 43% since October 17. Cases have gone up 299%.
• The number of people presenting to EDs has shot up since late September and continues to grow.
• We are now in the middle of another surge in patients who are hospitalized. As of today, we are up to 3,829 COVID-19 patients who are currently in the hospital, with 943 of those in the ICU. These are the highest patient counts we’ve had during this pandemic.
• For the first time, we have a county that will be purple—this means they have flagged 6 or more indicators for at least two weeks. This is a sign that we are starting to see sustained impacts on healthcare services due to this disease.
• Other counties may not yet be seeing continuous, uninterrupted increases in the same way that is causing Franklin to move to purple, but make no mistake—almost all counties are seeing more cases and more healthcare use that could threaten the medical system if they continue. 
• We also have 3 other counties that are meeting as many indicators as Franklin. Since this is their first week meeting those indicators, they move to watch list status: Lake, Lorain, Montgomery.  If trends continue, they could join Franklin as purple next week. 
• Retail Compliance Unit has started its work throughout Ohio, visiting around 50% of Ohio’s counties in the first three days. Agents report that most employers and customers are taking our current situation seriously - with over 90% compliance in distancing and masks.
• Senate Bill 311: This bill, if ever enacted, would severely limit the ability of ODH to issue orders needed to prevent the spread of infectious disease - not just this disease, ones in the future as well.
  • Doctors, nurses, and scientists have all advised me that this bill would do great harm if it became law. For that reason, if SB 311 passes, I will veto it. 

Governor DeWine’s 11/17/2020 COVID-19 Update: 

• Hospitalizations:
  • 10/13—1,000 hospitalizations
  • 11/5—2,000 hospitalizations
  • 11/12—3,000 hospitalizations
• Every county is a high incidence county (>100 cases per 100,000)
• Top 20 counties ranked by highest occurrence “these are astronomical numbers”
  • Highest county is Putnam with a rate of 1,323.1 per 100,000
• 7 day running average positivity is 12.8% (previous day was 13.8%)
• Retail mask mandate enforcement
  • Number of persons wearing masks in retail establishments going up
• Re-issued the order restriction for groups of 10 or more
  • https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/publicorders/limit-prohibit-mass-gatherings-ohio-rev-order.pdf
• Each one of us will make a difference.  If we can cut down contacts by 20-25%, this will make a difference.
• Issuing a curfew that will start Thursday at 10pm until 5am (for 21 days).
  • Retail establishments will need to be closed
  • Residents are expected to be in their homes
• Asking each Ohioan to do something daily to reduce your contact with others.
• Dr. Vanderhoff (CMO at ODH)—
  • Keep your distance, wear a mask, and have good ventilation
  • Earlier in the year we focused on PPE, however now we face a different type of crisis—a staffing crisis.
  • We all need to do everything possible to contain the virus
  • We need to protect our healthcare workers
  • Even if you don’t believe in masks- wear one
• Mental health resources
  • Ohio Care line 1-800-720-9616 to talk 
  • Text “4 Hope” to 741741 to chat

From the Q&A, drive-thru and delivery would be able to occur under the curfew. DeWine indicated that he was not going to say you can’t go to a grocery store or pharmacy past 10 p.m. if they’re open.

Highlights from Governor DeWine’s Nov. 12 Update:

• 68 of our counties are now red and Franklin and Tuscarawas counties are on our watch list. Today’s new red counties are: Brown, Delaware, Erie, Hancock, Jackson, Knox, Miami, Paulding, Seneca, Shelby, Williams and Wood. 8 of these counties are red for the first time.
• Case counts will also be available on a downloadable filterable chart sorted from the highest cases to the least. To protect confidentiality, we aren’t showing case counts for zip codes with fewer than 5 cases or less than 100 total residents. 
  • Users can view data from their local communities on a map and filter by probable or confirmed case status, county, a specific zip code, or a time period.
• We are setting aside $30 million dollars to assist the state’s 113 local health departments. Each department will receive $200,000 and they will have the flexibility to determine how to best use the funds as they see fit to fight COVID-19.
  
  • The remaining money will be used to hire contact tracers to support local health departments. Those tracers would be able to deploy wherever they are needed across the state to assist in identifying individuals who may have been exposed to COVID-19 and prevent further spread.

Highlights from Governor DeWine’s Nov. 5 Update:

• Shockingly high number of cases in the past 24 hours.  4,961 is a new record number of cases (for a 24 hour period)
• Every single county in the state of Ohio is high incidence.  COVID-19 is everywhere
  • Lucas County is at a rate of 240.0 per 100,000 from 10/21 to 11/3
• We continue to see increases in COVID-19 patients hospitalized, in the ICU, and on ventilators statewide.
  • 2,075 current patients today which is a 55% increase in hospitalized patients compared to two weeks ago.
  • 541 people in the ICU (previous high was 533 in April)
  • Today hospital admissions are going up at a very, very high rate
• Ohio’s case data has increased at a much higher rate than testing.
  • Since September 24, the total number of tests has increased 44%
  • Case data increased 280% during the same period of time
• 56 red counties, 30 orange counties and 2 yellow.  
  • This is the highest number of red counties since we started the alert system
• Best way we can defeat our common enemy is by doing three things:
  • Stick to the basics: masks, social distancing, hand washing
  • Protect the most vulnerable
  • Go on the offense with the pending vaccine
• New Chief Medical Officer at ODH—Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff
  • Came from Ohio Health where he was the Senior Vice President and CMO
• New Director of ODH—Stephanie McCloud
  • Previously the Director of Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation
• New Senior Deputy of ODH—Lance Himes 
  • Former Interim Director of ODH
  • New Chief of Staff at ODH—Kathleen MaddenPreviously Assistant Director at Ohio Office of Budget and Management
• If an individual is quarantined for COVID, they are eligible for unemployment for that time frame.

 
Question from Media:
Over the past few weeks we have seen cases rising — you say that people just need to do the basics. It doesn’t seem like people are changing their behavior — at what point do you plan to step in?

• So much of the spread is areas which the government cannot control (e.g. parties, gatherings). The power is not in the Governor’s hands — it’s in everyone’s hands with personal responsibility. If we want to continue to try to live through this pandemic, we have got to be wearing masks and be more careful. Other things will be coming shortly (hinting at Governor’s Orders).

Highlights from Governor DeWine’s Oct. 27 Update:

• Over 2500 new cases, 22 deaths, 198 new hospitalizations and 20 new ICU admissions in the past 24 hours in Ohio
• 82/88 counties are considered high incident counties (some counties experiencing 800+ cases per 100,000)
• Hospitalizations keep increasing—no hospitals are “overflowing” yet but the trend lines are not good
• The spread isn’t coming from businesses, so another shut down won’t fix that.  It’s what people do on their own time that’s the problem and that’s going to come down to personal responsibility
• Governor will be doing calls with all high incidence counties (starting with highest first) to develop more localized responses

Highlights from Governor DeWine’s Oct. 29 Update:

• 83/88 counties are high incident counties
• 3,590 cases and 194 new hospitalizations in the past 24 hours
• Only 2 yellow counties 
• Calling on leaders of every county/community throughout the state to come together to create a COVID defense team
  • Assess assets/needs
  • Focus on what steps to turn the situation around in their community
• 43 red counties
• 78% of Ohioans are living in red counties
• What we see in three counties that were on the watch list to go purple (Clark, Hamilton, and Cuyahoga) was similar to what we see in the rest of the state—case numbers are continuing to go up, and healthcare utilization is trending upward. This is concerning. This is not good. These 3 counties are no longer on the ‘watch list’
• There was an outbreak among staff at a doctor’s office as a result of mask non-compliance. Staff members at the doctor’s office were either not wearing masks or were not wearing them correctly.
• Starting on Monday, eligible families can apply for up to $1,500 in grant funding to cover costs of tutoring and other needed supports. To apply for a grant or to sign up as a provider, visit http://LearningOhio.com
• “I'm not saying there is no spread in workplaces, schools, bars, etc. What I am saying is that a big part of the spread - according to those dealing with it every day - is coming from informal gatherings.”

Highlights from Governor DeWine’s Oct. 20 Update:

92.8% of Ohioans are living in a county that is red or high incidence. We cannot let our guard down.

• 2,015 new cases
• Continue to rise at a concerning rate
• 216 hospitalizations in the past 24 hours (most ever reported in Ohio)
• County ranking by cases per 100,000—some counties exceeding 400 cases per 100,000 
• 69 of 88 counties are high incidence counties
• Numbers will not change unless we change
• Compared Ohio to other states on 10/4, 10/11, and 10/18 showing a change throughout the region (cases starting high in Wisconsin and spreading to Illinois, Indiana, West Virginia, Ohio)

• In next few weeks Governor DeWine will be working to help out small businesses
• On August 20, DeWine asked BWC to approve a second dividend for public and private employers as financial support during the pandemic—checks (totaling around $1.3 billion) will be mailed to employers beginning this week
• The White House Coronavirus Task Force sends reports to states every week to give a broad picture of how states compare to others in the region and nationally.
  • A recent report notes Ohio’s increase in cases initiated by social friends and family gatherings
  • Be safe this weekend while watching the first Ohio State game this weekend 
• ODH will be launching a new registration tool for healthcare providers who would like to eventually administer the vaccine
• Long term care facility dashboard is going up on coronavirus.ohio.gov
• Flu and COVID differences (see below)
• Today ODH amended a directive to require all labs to start sharing all positive, negative, inconclusive, and invalid tests COVID results with ODH.  Adding these categories will help gather additional data for a more complete picture of how COVID is spreading.
• Hope to have information about positivity rates by November
• ODH releases interim draft COVID-19 Vaccination Plan

Highlights from Governor DeWine’s Oct. 15 Update:

• More cases
  • Oct. 14: 2,039 cases
  • Oct. 15: 2,178 cases
  • Sept. 20: 762 cases
  • Gone up dramatically
• More people getting sick enough to be hospitalized
  • On Sept. 20, we had 562 hospitalized
  • On Oct. 14, we had 1,042
• Add 13 new red- total of 29 (65% of population of Ohio) (Lucas county is now red)
• 52 counties of high incidence
  • >100 cases per 100,000 residents in the past 2 weeks
• Positivity Rate
  • 5.4% on Oct. 15
  • 4.2% is the past 7 day moving average
  • 3rd week of September, it was 2.7%

Oct. 8 Updates:

Lessons learned from the President’s COVID diagnosis:

1. It can happen to anyone
2. Testing is important—but even very frequent testing cannot substitute for masks and social distancing
3. Masks do matter
4. Distance matters
5. Contact tracing matters

Other updates and discussions:

• • It’s breast cancer awareness month.
    Ohio’s Breast and Cervical Cancer project has resources 
    • No cost diagnostic testing and screenings: 1-844-430-2227 or website
  • Cases trending upward
  • Hospitalizations are a lagging indicator but are starting to show an increase from a couple of weeks ago
    • Admissions by age:
      • Average age of hospitalizations has gone up
      • 60+ year olds are 70% of COVID admissions now which is higher than the 50% seen in July
    • By county type:
      • Rural counties are comprising more of the total admissions of COVID cases
  • Concerns from health commissioners and schools:
    • The high numbers of children meeting the definition of close contact and needing to be quarantined is problematic for districts
    • For community-related exposure, close contact is someone within 6 feet of someone COVID + for greater than 15 minutes and there is a caveat regarding masks: Learn more. 
      • Note: This is irrespective of whether the person with COVID-19 or the contact was wearing a mask or whether the contact was wearing respiratory personal protective equipment (PPE)
    • Working on research on whether mask wearing in situations closer than 6’ is effective in disease prevention
  • Alisha Nelson, Director of Recovery Ohio, was on to present information on mental health and substance use/addiction issues
    • COVID Care line can guide individuals that need assistance: 1-800-720-9616
    • Phone line not just for COVID issues but mental health issues also
  • Lots of discussion on small businesses/entrepreneurs and employment

• Oct. 2 Updates:
  • Other topics were discussed before COVID (e.g. the Presidential Debate, Voting) 
  • Prevalence Study (link to PDF)
    • Estimate of active COVID-19
    • Estimate of prevalence of people who have had COVID-19 in past
    • 240 Census tracts geographically represented (Randomly sampled households)
    • 0.9% had active disease (CI: 0.1-2.0%)
    • 1.5% of people had evidence of antibodies (CI: 0.3-2.9%)
      • Antibody results only valid for evidence of infection in 3 months prior to test date
    • What does this mean?
      • The findings of this project are in agreement with expectations for prevalence of current and past COVID-19 in Ohio, and is similar to what has been reported in nearby states. Whereas 0.9% of Ohio adults with current infection and 1.5% with past infection reflect relatively low prevalence, these figures correspond to hundreds of thousands of Ohioans who have experienced COVID-19 during 2020. Yet, a large majority of Ohio adults remain susceptible to infection. The continued embrace of prevention measures is essential to keeping Ohioans safe.
  • COVID Numbers
    • Increase in the number of cases over the past few days (see data chart below)
    • Hospitalization and Death data available for September
    • 26/88 counties yellow
    • 51/88 counties orange (Lucas County is orange)
    • 11/88 counties red (Mercer, Putnam, Pike, Butler, Muskingum, Montgomery, Scioto, Hamilton, Richland, Ashland, Clermont)
• Sept. 25 Updates:
  • Weekly Antibody Positivity—discussed positivity rate from American Red Cross (testing all blood donations)
  • County rankings
    • 9 red counties—increase of 4 from last week Ashland, Delaware, Pike, Scioto, Stark (still remaining: Butler, Mercer, Montgomery, Putnam)
    • 9 counties went from red to orange
    • (Lucas County still Orange—74.34 cases per 100,000)
  • Discussed plans for universities (expanding program)
    • Residential colleges and universities testing a sample population of students: Leaving it up to universities but recommending a minimum of 3%
  • Nursing Home Update:
    • Expansions of visitation to indoor
    • Does not signify that individuals can be less cautious
    • Facilities must:
      • Determine level of readiness (examine community transmission
      • Consider case status inside facility
      • Assess staffing levels—adequate to care for residents and monitor visitation
      • Have access to adequate testing access
      • Have PPE supplies
      • Assess local hospital capacity
    • Also they must:
      • Limit to entry of personnel to those essential to facility
      • Screen all staff upon entrance
      • Maintain daily log
    • Visits must be scheduled in advance and in designated areas (30 minutes maximum, 2 visitors per resident per visit)
    • Visitors must social distance and wear face covering (supplied by facility)
    • Facilities are going to permit communal activities with safety precautions
    • Dashboard to be created for facilities
  • Intermediate Care Facilities:
    • Opening up visitation (guidelines forthcoming)
  • Mental health issues associated with COVID
    • Looking to put more monies towards these issues
• Sept. 11 Updates:
  • Travel advisories 
    • ND, SD, KS, AL have a high positivity rate
  • Lucas and Wayne counties went from red to orange
  • 6 red counties (Summit, Putnam, Butler, Mercer, Preble, Montgomery)
  • Top 10 counties (high incidence which is >100 cases per 100,000)
    • Two of the top 10 in NW Ohio: Henry (148.1) and Putnam (280.6)
  • We continue to see an increase in cases among the 0-29 age group relative to the overall population.
• Highlights of Governor DeWine’s Aug. 27 press conference
  • 6 red counties (lowest in 9 weeks)
    • Mercer, Erie, Preble, Lucas, Montgomery and Lorain
  • 76 counties at the same level as they were last week
  • Clermont, Clark, Franklin, Trumbull Counties all went from Red to Orange
  • Starting to see some cases as a result of students returning to both college and K-12
  • Lucas County is red because:
    • Above the threshold with 110 per 100,000
    • +473 cases this past week
    • Went from average of 21 outpatient visits a day to 29 outpatient visits per day
    • Continues to have community spread
  • Discussed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Partners in Health 
    • Nonprofit based in Massachusetts
    • Provided resources like metrics and contact tracing best practices 
    • Provided services free of charge
  • Testing
    • Thanks to National Guard with nursing home testing and pop-up testing
    • Need to utilize different means—testing is evolving
    • Discussed pooled testing to expand capacity
    • Purchasing antigen testing to use as another tool
    • Controlled testing at assisted living facilities—should have results by Mon/Tues
  • Schools (K-12)
    • Order to require schools to have a reporting mechanism for parents to report cases
    • Schools will have to report these to the local health department
    • Will make information about positive test publicly available
    • Schools will have to notify parents in writing
  • FEMA Grant
    • Ohio approved for $717 million to provide additional assistance 
    • $300 per week to those receiving unemployment due to COVID
    • Payments retroactive to August 1
  • Had various speakers from Schools and Colleges discuss what they were doing on their campuses
    • Paula Crew—Superintendent Tecumseh Local Schools
    • Katherine Fell—President of University of Findlay
    • Alex Johnson—President of Cuyahoga Community College
    • Jim Tressel—President of Youngstown State University
  • August 20, 2020 – COVID-19 Update – County Risk Levels (Lucas remains Level 3)
  • August 13, 2020 – COVID-19 Update – Updated county risk levels (Lucas continues at Level 3)
  • August 11, 2020 – COVID-19 Update – Return to school; Increase in cases among younger adults, particularly ages 20-29
  • August 6, 2020 – News Release – Governor DeWine tests positive (false positive) for COVID-19
  • August 4, 2020 – COVID-19 Update – includes updates on masks in schools, rapid testing, and community spread
  • July 30, 2020 – COVID-19 Updates – Updated county risk levels (Lucas remains at Level 3)
  • July 23, 2020 – Director’s Order for Facial Coverings throughout the State of Ohio
  • July 16, 2020 – COVID -19 Update – Updated county risk levels announced; 19 Red Alert Level Three Counties; Lucas County upgraded to Level 3 (Public Emergency: Very high exposure and spread)
  • July 7, 2020: COVID-19 Update - Face coverings required in seven high-risk Ohio counties 
  • July 2, 2020: COVID-19 Update – K-12 School Guidelines; Ohio Public Health Advisory System
  • June 29, 2020: COVID-19 Update: Increases in Hospitalizations and Positivity Rate
  • June 23, 2020 – COVID-19 Update: Public awareness campaigns announced to promote COVID-19 prevention measures
    
  • June 19, 2020: COVID-19 Update – Southwest Ohio case increase; increase in COVID-19 cases in children at Rainbow Babies Hospital in Cleveland
  • June 16, 2020: COVID-19 Update – including information on Pop-Up Testing Sites; Basic Reproduction Number
  • June 11, 2020: COVID-19 Update – Dr. Amy Acton steps down as ODH Director to become Chief Health Advisor; Testing Expansion; Basic Reproduction Numbers
  • June 10, 2020: COVID-19 Minority Health Strike Force: Interim Report released on recommendations to address the impact of COVID-19 in minorities disproportionately affected by the virus
  • May 28, 2020: COVID-19 Updates on pharmacy testing and priority testing
  • May 26, 2020: COVID-19 Update – New Congregate Care Unified Response Teams to begin testing residents and staff of Ohio nursing homes
  • May 19, 2020: COVID-19 Update – "Ohioans Protecting Ohioans Urgent Health Advisory" replaces previous Stay Safe Ohio Order
  • May 20, 2020: COVID-19 Update – Governor signs new health orders
  • May 14, 2020 – COVID-19 Updates – New Responsible RestartOhio Opening Dates 
  • April 30, 2020: COVID-19 Updates including PPE Delivery and Employee Face Covering Exceptions
  • April 28, 2020 – Face Coverings, Advisory Groups on Restaurants, Barbershops, and Salons
  • April 27, 2020 – Governor DeWine Announces Details of Ohio's Responsible RestartOhio Plan (see Responsible RestartOhio webpage)
  • April 25, 2020: Environmental changes impact Health Risk
  • April 25, 2020: COVID-19 Modeling 101: Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton, M.D., MPH wants to ensure Ohioans are aware of modeling for COVID-19.
  • April 25, 2020: COVID-19 updates on reagent, testing swabs, and contact tracing
  • April 23, 2020: COVID-19 Update – How Environmental Changes Impact Heath Risk
    • COVID-19: Ohio’s Safe Return: Presentation by Mark Weir, Ph.D., assistant professor of Public Health at Ohio State University – video of presentation
  • April 22, 2020: COVID-19 Update – Elective Surgery Order and Mental Health Careline
  • April 21, 2020: COVID-19 Update – FDA Reagent Approval and Testing Strike Team formation
  • April 20, 2020 – COVID-19 Update – Governor DeWine forms Minority Health Strike Force to assist those disproportionately impacted by COVID-19  
  • Updates on Ohio’s reopening/recovery phase (set to begin May 1) – see April 16 and 17 news releases
  • April 15, 2020: Governor DeWine asks Ohio Hospital Association to develop a plan to treat patients whose non-COVID-19 elective surgical procedures were postponed
  • April 14, 2020: ODH Director’s Order to Release Protected Health Information to Ohio’s First Responders
  • April 13, 2020: COVID-19 Antibody Test Kits – Recommendations for employers
  • April 10, 2020: 
    • COVID-19 Ask the Expert: Anthony J. Armstrong, M.D., MPH, FACOG, President of the Ohio State Medical Association and OB-GYN at Mercy Health, Toledo
  • April 9, 2020:
    • Ohio Manufacturing Alliance partnering with three hospital groups to begin large scale production of face shields
    • Christ Hospital Research Center in Cincinnati approved by FDA to treat high-risk patients with convalescent plasma
      • See press release
    • Convalescent Plasma to Treat COVID-19 Checklist
    • Ohio hospitalizations for COVID-19 reach 1,612 with 497 ICU admissions
  • April 8, 2020: Ohio hospitalizations for COVID-19 reach 1,495 with 472 ICU admissions
  • April 7, 2020: Ohio hospitalizations for COVID-19 reach 1,354 with 417 ICU admissions
  • April 6, 2020: Ohio hospitalizations for COVID-19 reach 1,214 with 371 ICU admissions
  • April 5, 2020: Ohio hospitalizations for COVID-19 reach 1,104 with 346 ICU admissions
  • April 4, 2020: Ohio hospitalizations for COVID-19 reach 1,006 with 326 ICU admissions
    • Cloth Face Coverings COVID-19 Checklist
      ODH guidelines for the general public on proper use of face masks based on CDC recommendations
  • April 3, 2020:
    • Updates provided on Ohio’s COVID-19 response
      • OSU Wexner Medical Center partnering with ODH to increase availability of testing supplies
      • Partnership of Battelle and JobsOhio will provided free N95 mask sanitizing to hospitals for the next two weeks
    • Ohio hospitalizations for COVID-19 reach 895 with 288 ICU admissions
  • April 2, 2020:
    
    • Ohio Stay at Home Order Extended Through May 1, 2020
    • Ohio hospitalizations for COVID-19 reach 802 with 260 ICU admissions
  • March 30, 2020: Director’s Order to Require an Inventory of All Ventilators in Ohio
  • April 1, 2020:
  • Director's Order for Performing COVID-19 Testing
  • Personal Protective Equipment Donation Form (for organizations who would like to donate PPE to the State of Ohio) 
  • March 30, 2020: COVID-19 Press Conference Slides 
  • March 29, 2020: FDA authorizes use of Columbus-based Battelle technology to sterilize surgical masks
  • March 29, 2020: Governor releases list of needed PPE
  • March 28, 2020: Resources for Local Health Districts, Local Governments, and Providers
  • March 27, 2020: COVID-19 Press Conference
    • “Flattening the Curve” information for Ohio
      • Without mitigation, projected peak ~51,000 cases per day
      • With mitigation, projected peak ~10,000 cases per day
  • March 26, 2020: COVID-19 Press Conference 
    • View slides (PDF)
    • Age range of confirmed cases (n = 867) is <1 – 94 years, median age of 51 years
    • 17% of cases are healthcare workers (n = 145) 
    • 17,316 people have been tested in Ohio 
    • Hospitalization data:
      • Hospitalized-Not ICU – 15% (n = 132)
      • Hospitalized-In ICU – 11% (n = 91)
      • Not Hospitalized – 74% (n = 644)
  • March 26, 2020: News Release
    • Personal protective equipment needed; Ohio residents and businesses who can donate PPE are asked to email together@governor.ohio.gov
    • New Ohio COVID-19 Data Dashboard
  • March 25, 2020: COVID-19 Press Conference
    
    • Age range of confirmed cases (n = 704) is <1 – 94 years  
    • 16% of cases are healthcare workers (n = 116) 
    • 14,764 people have been tested in Ohio 
    • Hospitalization data:
      • Hospitalized-Not ICU – 15% (n = 108)
      • Hospitalized-In ICU – 11% (n = 74)
      • Not Hospitalized – 74% (n = 522)
    • View slides
  • March 24, 2020: COVID-19 Ohio Snapshot Press Conference
    • Of 564 confirmed cases in Ohio:
      • 16% (n = 91) – healthcare workers
      • 26% (n = 145) – total hospitalizations
      • 11% (n = 62) – ICU patients
    •  Of 3,600 ICU beds in Ohio, 1,300 are available   View slides
  • March 23, 2020: Ohio Stay at Home order went into effect at 11:59 p.m. 
  • March 22, 2020: Ohio issues Stay at Home order  
  • March 20, 2020: Senior centers, adult day cares to close
  • March 21, 2020: Day support for developmentally disabled to close; Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation payments deferred
  • March 19, 2020: Director’s Order to Cease Business Operation at Hair Salons, Day Spas, Nail Salons, Barber Shops, Tattoo Parlors, Body Piercing Locations, Tanning Facilities and Massage Therapy Locations
  • March 19, 2020: DeWine signs Executive Order 2020-05D Telehealth to expand Ohio Medicaid telemedicine services
  • DeWine announces closure of Bureau of Motor Vehicle locations