COVID-19 Alert - April 21

By the Numbers:

• Individuals Tested: 11,527,326

• Individuals Vaccinated (Started): 4,447,776

• Cases Per 100,000 residents: 200

• Total Cases: 1,058,395

• Case Increase in Last 24-Hour Period: 1,789

• 21 Day Reported Case Average: 1,944

• Total Deaths: 19,033

• Deaths Reported in Last 24-Hour Period: 0

• 21 Day Reported Death Average: 20

• Total Hospitalizations: 55,323

• Hospitalization Increase in Last 24-Hour Period: 138

• 21 Day Reported Hospitalizations Average: 107

• Total ICU Admissions: 7,682

• ICU Admissions Increase in Last 24-Hour Period: 12

• 21 Day Reported ICU Admissions Average: 12

Vaccinations and Virus Spread:

• As of today, 38% 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.

• The Governor noted that the virus is now more dangerous than it was a few months ago for those who have not been vaccinated.

• Dr. Vanderhoff, the chief medical officer at the Ohio Department of Health, 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.

Unemployment System Update:

• In an effort to continually improve Ohioans’ experiences with the Ohio Unemployment Office, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Interim Director Matt Damschroder shared several action updates.

• The ODJFS team has been working with the Public-Private Partnership (P3 Team) to make improvements to the call center, which now has an average call handle time of less than 10 minutes (the lowest since the pandemic started). There is also real progress on the claims backlog. In addition, new tools have been implemented to enhance fraud detection including additional identity verification requirements and new IT measures, such as Experian and LexisNexis technology, to verify the identity of unemployment applications.

Law Enforcement Reform Efforts:

• At today’s press conference, Governor DeWine outlined law enforcement reform efforts made in the past year, efforts that are pending, and efforts that will be announced in the near future.

• Governor DeWine took several executive actions regarding law enforcement reform last year, including:

  • On June 17, 2020, ordered every cabinet agency to review use-of-force policies and ban the use of choke holds unless deadly force would be otherwise authorized.

  • Ordered the Ohio State Highway Patrol to begin outfitting troopers with body cameras in addition to dash cameras. The purchase of these body cameras is underway.

  • Established the Office of Law Enforcement Recruitment within the Office of Criminal Justice Services.

  • Ordered the Ohio Community Police Collaborative to develop a standard for law enforcement's response to mass protests. That standard has been adopted.

• In his proposed budget that is now before the Ohio General Assembly, Governor DeWine recommended:

  • $10 million in grant money to assist local police agencies to buy body cameras.

  • $1 million in grant funding to support local police agencies' innovative initiatives to recruit women and minorities into law enforcement careers.

• Governor DeWine also announced today that legislation will soon be introduced by State Representative Phil Plummer that will increase accountability and transparency in law enforcement.

• The bill is expected to:

  • Establish a peace officer oversight board similar to oversight boards in other professions

  • Establish a use-of-force database

  • Establish an officer-discipline database

  • Require the independent investigation of officer-involved critical incidents

  • Establish an independent, sustainable funding source for law enforcement training in Ohio