COVID-19 Alert - May 19, 2020

By the Numbers:

• 277,602 individuals tested

• 28,952 total cases, 4,4504 of which are health care workers

• 1,720 deaths

• 5,117 hospitalizations, 1,357 of which are in the intensive care unit

• 88 counties with at least one case

• Ages range from less than one year old to 108 years of age, with a median age of 50

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

Urgent Health Advisory, Ohioans Protecting Ohioans:

• Governor Mike DeWine announced additional relaxing of restrictions through an Urgent Health Advisory called Ohioans Protecting Ohioans. (Note, this has not yet been issued and will still be an Order. All required business safety protocols will be incorporated, however other restrictions will be loosened as outlined below).

• The Governor began by providing an overview of where we are in the pandemic:

1. Ohioans have done a great job flattening the curve to ensure our hospitals are not overwhelmed.

2. The state’s Arnot number (meaning reproductive number of how many infected people come from a single infected person) is down to 1:1, which is improved from where we started in March.

3. Ohio put in place business best practice safety protocols, developed by business and health professionals, that protect employees and customers.

4. Although the original Order included few reasons you could leave your home (such as going to the grocery store or attending church), as industry sectors and businesses have opened, Ohioans have been allowed to go more places, hence the initial change from a Stay-at-Home Order to a Safe-at-Home Order.

• He then outlined the main components of this new COVID-19 phase,Ohioans Protecting Ohioans, as follows:

  • Maintains several general limitations for all Ohioans

    • Restricts mass gatherings to 10 people or less

    • Requires social distancing of 6 ft

    • Requires frequent hand washing and sanitizing

  • Business requirements

    • Incorporates all of the business Orders regarding social distancing and sanitation, including employees wearing masks, as well as efforts to protect employees and efforts to protect the public.

  • High-risk Ohioans

    • Considers the most vulnerable Ohioans as those who can suffer the worst impacts from the virus. The new Order strongly recommends that high-risk Ohioans stay at home as much as possible and avoid places where they are likely to encounter a lot of people.

  • General population

    • Recommends (but does not require) all other Ohioans to stay at their place of residence when possible with the intent of lowering the rate of spread of the virus.

    • The Governor emphasized that Ohioans who are not high-risk can still spread the virus while being asymptomatic and should be mindful of those that are high-risk. He noted that nearly half of all confirmed cases are between the ages of 30 to 55.

  • Travel 

    • While previous Orders included limited travel restrictions, these will now be lifted. Travel within, or outside of the state, is permitted, though Governor DeWine specified that it is still not encouraged unless necessary. 

Leading Cause of Death in Ohio:

• The Governor noted that the coronavirus is becoming one of the leading causes of death in Ohio, stating that preliminary research indicates that as of May 19, 2020, more than 90,000 people in the United States, including 1,657 Ohioans, have died with COVID-19. These numbers continue to increase daily.

May 26 Opening of BMVs:

• Lt. Governor Jon Husted reminded Ohioans that although BMVs will be open next Tuesday, May 26, there is no need to rush in and crowd the BMVs since most services can be accomplished online atwww.oplates.com. 

• In addition, expired driver’s licenses and ID cards are valid through the state of emergency and do not need to be renewed yet.

• If you do need to go to the BMV, utilize the “Get in line Online” tool to assist with social distancing.

2 Million Masks to be Distributed to Employers by BWC:

• Public and private employers covered by the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) will receive a package with at least 50 non-medical grade face coverings beginning tomorrow. A total of 2 million face coverings will be distributed throughout Ohio. 

• The masks, which are intended to support and enhance any workforce safety and health efforts businesses already have in place, are funded through BWC’s existing budget and will not impact any premiums.

Georgetown Veterans Home Facility Update:

• As a reminder, Governor DeWine ordered mass testing to take place at Ohio's two state nursing home facilities for veterans.

• Testing results as of today:

  • Sandusky facility: 28 residents and 5 staff tested positive.

  • Georgetown facility: 0 residents and staff confirmed positive.

• More information can be found here: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/OVHI/Ohio-Veterans-Homes-Info.pdf

ODRC Update:

• A fourth Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (ODRC) staff member has passed away from the coronavirus – Corrections Officer Dewane “Pete” Gannon.

• Additional details about the outbreak at ODRC can be found here: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/DRCCOVID-19Information.pdf

Remembrance of Annie Glenn:

• Annie Glenn, the wife of former Ohio U.S. Senator and astronaut John Glenn, passed away at the age of 100 as a result of complications from COVID-19.

• Governor DeWine ordered U.S. and Ohio flags be flown at half staff in her honor until sunset on the day of her memorial service, stating " ...it is impossible to imagine John Glenn without Annie, and Annie without John. They grew up together and their life-long love story was inspiring to us all."