COVID-19 Alert - November 12

By the Numbers:

• Individuals Tested: 5,051,539

• 88 counties with at least one case

• Ages range from less than one year old to 109 years of age, with a median age of 41

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

• Total Cases: 274,457 (24,263 of which are health care workers)

• Case Increase in Last 24-Hour Period: 7,101

• 21 Day Reported Case Average: 4,001

• Total Deaths: 5,658

• Deaths Reported in Last 24-Hour Period: 35

• 21 Day Reported Death Average: 24

• Total Hospitalizations: 21,558 (4,143 of which are in the intensive care unit)

• Hospitalization Increase in last 24-Hour Period: 268

• 21 Day Reported Hospitalizations Average: 185

All 88 Counties at High Incidence:

• The Governor announced that all 88 counties in Ohio remain at "high incidence" as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Also, 68 counties are currently rated as having a very high risk of exposure and spread (Red Level 3), up from 56 counties last week. This represents the highest number of Red Level 3 counties since the launch of the advisory system in July.

• Both Franklin and Tuscarawas counties met six of seven advisory-system indicators and are approaching Purple Level 4.

• Ohio also had another record-breaking day for new cases reported in a 24-hour period, with 7,101 cases reported between yesterday and today. A total of 268 new hospitalizations were reported, as well as 35 more deaths.

COVID-19 and Flu Data Available by Zip Code:

• Governor DeWine also announced the creation of a new zip code dashboard. Ohioans can now view data from their local communities and filter data by probable or confirmed case status, county, a specific zip code, or a specific time period.

• The new zip code dashboard can be found at coronavirus.ohio.gov.

• He also announced a another new dashboard shows flu trends over time with charts that indicate whether flu hospitalizations or cases of flu-like illness are on the rise or decline as compared to the previous week and compared to the five-year average data.

• The new flu dashboard can be found at flu.ohio.gov.

Funding for Local Health Departments:

• The state is setting aside $30 million to assist the state’s 113 local health departments. Each department will receive $200,000 and will have the flexibility to determine how to best use the funds as they see fit to fight COVID-19.

Grants Available for Small Businesses and Bars and Restaurants:

• Lt. Governor Jon Husted today reminded Ohio small businesses that the application period for the Small Business Relief Grant and Bar and Restaurant Assistance Fund is now open.

• The Small Business Relief Grant provides a $10,000 grant to small businesses with at least one but no more than 25 employees. The grant funding will help businesses pay for a variety of expenses, including mortgage or rent payments; utility payments; salaries, wages, or compensation for employees and contractors; business supplies or equipment; and other costs.

• He also discussed the Bar and Restaurant Assistance Fund which provides $2,500 for those permit holders who haven’t been able to fully use their liquor permit. Businesses with an on-premise consumption permit through the Ohio Department of Commerce will be eligible to receive $2,500 per unique business location. Businesses need to have an active on-premise permit as of close of business on October 23, 2020.

• More information can be found at BusinessHelp.Ohio.gov.

Brent Spence Bridget - State of Emergency:

• Governor DeWine today signed a proclamation declaring a state of emergency in Hamilton County due to the catastrophic crash that heavily damaged the Brent Spence Bridge which connects Cincinnati and Kentucky.

• Although Kentucky leads all bridge maintenance, Governor DeWine authorized the Ohio Department of Transportation to assist with repairs so that the bridge can reopen as soon as possible.

• The state of emergency declaration will allow Ohio to recover bridge repair expenses from the Federal Emergency Relief Program.

Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library Available in all 88 counties:

·         First Lady Fran DeWine announced today that the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library Program is now being offered to children in all of Ohio's 88 counties. Kids from birth to age five statewide are now eligible to receive a free book in the mail each month, no matter what county they live in.

·         Parents are encouraged to enroll their kids in this free literary program. To sign up, visit ohioimaginationlibrary.org.