COVID-19 Alert

By the Numbers:

• 24,376 individuals tested

• 1,653 confirmed cases

• 29 deaths

• 403 hospitalizations, 139 of which are in the intensive care unit

• Ages range from less than 1 year old to 98 years of age, with the median age of 52

• 66 Counties (75% of Ohio counties)

• State of Ohio COVID-19 dashboard: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/home/dashboard

FDA Approval:

• Yesterday, Governor DeWine made a public appeal to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to immediately approve technology developed by Columbus-based Battelle to sterilize up to 80,000 used masks per day per machine.

• Despite the Governor’s pleas, early this morning the FDA authorized the use of the technology to sterilize up to only 10,000 masks per day. Their rationale for approving the sterilization of only 10,000 masks per day is unknown.

• The Governor said he is very angry about the FDA decision and called President Trump this morning. The President said that he would do everything he could do to make sure expanded approval is received today. The Governor also spoke directly to FDA Commissioner Hahn minutes before the press conference and Commissioner Hahn also assured Governor DeWine that this issue would be taken care of today. The Governor indicated he also contacted US Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman and U.S. Representatives Troy Balderson and Steve Stivers.

The Battelle Sterilization Process:

• Lou Von Thaer, President and CEO of Battelle appeared via video conference. Mr. Von Thaer explained that Battelle began to develop the vapor phase hydrogen peroxide sterilization process a couple of years ago.

• Battelle is working with the Ohio Hospital Association to coordinate with local hospitals to collect masks and courier the masks to the Battelle facilities for treatment. Battelle employees, properly trained and in full protective gear, will load the masks into a container and put the masks under pressure for several hours with hydrogen peroxide. At the completion of the process, the masks will be returned to the hospital.

• Utilizing this sterilization process, N95 masks may re-used up to 20 times without diminishing their safety and protection capabilities.

• Mr. Von Thaer said that this sterilizing process will eventually be useful for other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), but the use of additional equipment is still in the R&D stage.

Why a Sunday Press Conference:

• The Governor decided to hold a press conference in order to get everyone’s attention. He “got sick of waiting” and underscored that pushing for FDA approval is important to not only the people of Ohio but also people across the country. He emphasized to other Governors know that help is on the way.

• Dr. Amy Acton was not present at the press conference. Governor DeWine explained that Dr. Acton and Adjutant General Harris are working diligently with the 8 hospital regions to coordinate a response to the emergency and he did not want to interrupt their work.

Where are the Critical Care Decontamination Systems:

• Currently, two sterilization systems are located at Battelle’s West Jefferson, Ohio facility. Also, one is ready for use in New York (Long Island) and one is enroute to New York City.

• Battelle is ready to send a system to Chicago and Washington, D.C. with 3-4 more ready to ship to other states in the next week.

• Mr. Von Thaer indicated that the systems can begin working as early as tomorrow.