Gov. Mike DeWine on Tuesday launched the Ohioans Protecting Ohioans Urgent Health Advisory, as part of the next phase of the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Here’s what the Ohioans Protecting Ohioans Urgent Health Advisory means.
Here’s Wednesday’s highlights:
- The Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services is investigating a possible data breach into their unemployment system. Some Ohio applicants had their infomation, like names, Social Security numbers, and street addresses exposed.
- The Clark County Combined Health District confirmed that 20 cases of the coronavirus were found to be associated with the Dole Fresh Vegetables packaging plant in Springfield, according to a release. Twelve of the cases are Dole employees, 10 are confirmed positive and two are considered probable.
- That being said, there will be ‘a lot more’ COVID-19 cases in Clark County not associated with Dole outbreak, the health commissioner says.
- Beginning today (May 20), packages containing at least 50 face coverings will be shipped in batches to public and private employers that participate in the State Insurance Fund. The masks are funded through the Ohio Bureau or Workers Compensation’s existing budget and will not affect any premiums, the governor said, noting the face coverings are intended to support and enhance any workforce safety and health efforts businesses already have in place.
- Restaurants across the Miami Valley are gearing up for full reopening on Thursday, May 21. While they have been permitted to offer patio dining for several days, tomorrow marks the day those who can comply with a number of regulations will be permitted to reopen inside. Check with your favorite restaurant before stopping in, though, because several have warned they will not reopen Day 1.
- An enforcement team, operating at part of the Ohio Department of Safety’s Ohio Investigative Unit, will conduct safety compliance checks in bars and restaurants. Establishments found in violation of the Stay-Safe-Ohio order will receive administrative citations that could result in the revocation of liquor licenses, the governor said. The OIU team will also work with municipal prosecutors to take potential criminal actions against business owners who do not follow the order, which includes the requirement that patrons remain seated while eating/drinking and that parties stay 6 feet apart.
- Patients at Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association member medical care facilities now will be allowed to have a support person under a variety of circumstances.
- Thursday, dine-in service at bars and restaurants is to resume
- Thursday, campgrounds can reopen so long as there are proper safety protocols in place
- Friday, horse racing -- without spectators -- resumes Friday. Casinos and racinos are not included in this
- May 26, community pools, gyms and fitness centers (low-contact or non-contact sports), BMVs get the green light to resume operations
- May 31, summer day camps and daycare facilities reopen
Other things you should know today:
- Social Distancing: People allowed to drive through wildlife park for first time
- Trump Vs. Ford: White House has not made clear whether the president will abide by Ford policy on face coverings
- Class In Session: S. Korean students return to classes today; 32 new cases reported
LATEST STATE DATA: As of Wednesday afternoon, there are 29,436 cases in the state, 1,781 deaths, and 5,198 hospitalizations, according to the Ohio Department of Health.
Ohio has an estimated population of approximately 11.7 million, census records show.
Of the state’s positive cases, 19.5% are from Ohio’s prisons. At those prisons, there has been an increase in testing.
[ Local cases, deaths reported to Ohio Department of Health ]
There have been 277,602 people tested for coronavirus in Ohio. In the state, 4,504 cases are health care workers, which is 16 percent of the cases.
It is important to note the number of confirmed cases is not a true reflection of actual cases in the state because of the limited amount of testing available. The hope is that the number of cases will be more accurate because of the expansion of the testing standards.
The Stay-Safe-Ohio order will be superseded as new developments occur during the month, so DeWine is warning everyone not to wed themselves to May 29, when the order is to expire.
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