COVID-19 Alert - November 24

By the Numbers:

• Individuals Tested: 5,783,688

• 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 42

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

• Total Cases: 371,908 (28,126 of which are health care workers)

• Case Increase in Last 24-Hour Period: 8,604

• 21 Day Reported Case Average: 6,941

• Total Deaths: 6,118

• Deaths Reported in Last 24-Hour Period: 98

• 21 Day Reported Death Average: 35

• Total Hospitalizations: 25,069 (4,483 of which are in the intensive care unit)

• Hospitalization Increase in last 24-Hour Period: 364

• 21 Day Reported Hospitalizations Average: 260

Some Good News to Share:

• Despite the troubling coronavirus numbers, Governor DeWine began today’s press conference with three positive points:

  • 1) Unemployment is down to 5.6% for October.

  • 2) Regional representatives are reporting 90% mask-wearing compliance.

  • 3) Ohio should receive our first batch of vaccine around December 15.

Coronavirus Levels Remain High:

• Health data continues to show record covid-19 numbers, including nearly 100 more deaths reported in the last 24 hours, which is the second-highest number of deaths reported in a single day in Ohio.

• In addition, 364 more people were hospitalized, meaning that ¼ of all current hospital patients have covid-19.

Thanksgiving Ramifications Could Lead to Overwhelmed Hospitals:

• Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, the Chief Medical Officer of the Ohio Department of Health, warned Ohioans of the seriousness of the current situation and to be careful during the Thanksgiving week. He indicated that the big fear is that Ohioans do not take the message of masking, distancing, and avoiding big groups seriously, and that Thanksgiving could result in our hospitals being overwhelmed.

Thanksgiving Solutions:

• Governor DeWine encouraged Ohioans to stay safe by celebrating small and consult the Ohio Department of Health’s guidebook on safely celebrating the holiday season.

Buy in Ohio Campaign Launch:

• The Ohio Council of Retail Merchants launched a campaign to encourage Ohio shoppers to support businesses within the state.

• You can learn more here.

Bar and Restaurant Assistance Fund:

• Lt. Governor Husted announced that less than half of eligible permit holders have applied for the bar and restaurant assistance fund. The payments are not competitive, so if you are eligible, you will receive a payment.

• In addition, if you have more than one business location, you can receive $2,500 per location.

Employers to Receive BWC Dividends in Mid-December:

• Employers should expect to receive their BWC dividend checks in the mail in mid-December. This is in addition to the $3 billion sent out in October and brings the total dividends this year to nearly $8 billion.