COVID-19 Alert - March 18
By the Numbers:
Individuals Tested: 10,110,412
Individuals Vaccinated (Started): 2,567,312
Total Cases: 995,785
Case Increase in Last 24-Hour Period: 2,104
21 Day Reported Case Average: 1,590
Total Deaths: 17,992
Deaths Reported in Last 24-Hour Period: 0
21 Day Reported Death Average: 0
Total Hospitalizations: 51,993
Hospitalization Increase in Last 24-Hour Period: 156
21 Day Reported Hospitalizations Average: 97
Total ICU Admissions: 7,312
ICU Admissions Increase in Last 24-Hour Period: 17
21 Day Reported ICU Admissions Average: 10
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.
Special Election:
Governor DeWine announced special election dates for the 11th Congressional District to fill the vacancy left by former Rep. Marcia Fudge.
The vacancy opened after the United States Senate confirmed now-Secretary Marcia Fudge on March 10 to serve as the head of the Department of Housing & Urban Development, and her subsequent resignation of her congressional seat. A Writ of Election may only be issued upon the resignation of a member of Congress.
Important Dates:
May 5th: Declaration of candidacies for partisan candidates must be filed with the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections
May 24th: Declaration of candidacies for write-in candidates must be filed with the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections
May 25th: The county board of elections must certify the names of the candidates that will appear on the special primary ballot
July 6th: Eligible Ohioans who want to cast a ballot in the Special Congressional Primary Election must register to vote by this date
August 3rd: The Special Election Congressional Primary takes place
October 4th: Eligible Ohioans who want to cast a ballot in the Special Congressional General Election must register to vote by this data
November 2nd: The Special Congressional General Election
November 23rd: Boards must complete and certify official canvass
The amount of time between the governor’s Writ of Election announcement and the Special Congressional Primary and General Elections are very similar compared to the previous two special elections.
Governor Issues Writ of Election
Special Election Primary Date
Total Number
of Days
Special Election General Date
Total Number of Days
Speaker Boehner Special Election
Nov. 1, 2015
March 15, 2016
135
June 7, 2016
219
Rep. Tiberi
Special Election
Jan. 5, 2018
May 8, 2018
123
August 8, 2018
214
Rep. Fudge
Special Election
March 18, 2021
August 3, 2021
138
November 2, 2021
229
Ohioans interested in registering to vote or signing up to be a poll worker should visit VoteOhio.gov for more information.
New Public Service Announcements:
Today, Governor DeWine unveiled two new public services announcements aimed at encouraging Ohioans to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
The first PSA features older Ohioans from throughout Ohio who discuss how they feel now that they've been vaccinated.
The second PSA features Anthony Munoz, retired Cincinnati Bengal and Pro Football Hall of Famer, who was recently vaccinated.
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
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.