Coronavirus Pandemic: Ohio cases exceed 4,400; 25 percent of hospitalized patients have been released

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced Thursday that the state will extend the stay-at-home order to May 1. The expanded order will replace the existing order which would have expired today.

There are now at least 4,450 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Ohio with 142 deaths, according to the Ohio Department of Health. In Ohio, 1,214 people suffering from COVID-19 have been admitted to hospitals, with 371 of those in ICU.

The state said 303 of the people who have been hospitalized have been released, which is 25 percent of the people that were hospitalized.

[ Coronavirus: Local cases, deaths reported to Ohio Department of Health ]

The state has a population of 11.6 million.

While the state is tracking confirmed cases, it’s important to note that due to the limited amount of testing available the number of confirmed cases is not a true reflection of actual cases in the state.

A projected curve of new cases from Ohio State University predicted Ohio would have 1,257 new coronavirus cases Monday. The state reported 407 new cases, putting Ohio below the Ohio State projection curve for eight days in a row.

Gov. Mike DeWine provided a statewide update on coronavirus at 2 p.m.:

The following announcements were made:

• 48,378 Ohioans have received a coronavirus test
• 888 healthcare workers have been confirmed to have the virus.
• Tonight at midnight, the requirements for the new stay at home order begin. There are new requirements for retailers in this order, including determining a maximum number of customers allowed in the store to account for proper physical distancing. The number of customers allowed must also be listed. Some stores are only doing one direction per aisle. Some retailers are also cleaning off carts/baskets between customers.
• After visiting various locations and assessing for things, such as distance to an existing hospital, conditions safe for patients and health care professionals, and space to meet the region’s expected needs, the following sites have been selected as a building that could support a large number of patients if needed: The Dayton Convention Center, Seagate Convention Center, Lucas Co; Case Western University’s Health Education Campus, Cuyahoga Co; Covelli Convention Ctr, Mahoning Co; Duke Energy Convention Ctr, Hamilton Co; Greater Columbus Convention Ctr, Franklin Co.
• The state had at least 1400 Ohio manufacturing companies respond to the call to try and help in this crisis. The Ohio Manufacturing Alliance reaches out to each company to find out where they fit into our strategy.
• The state’s only federal prison, Elkton Federal Correctional Institution, in Columbiana County has had 7 inmates with coronavirus and 3 inmates have died. Dozens of others in the prison have shown symptoms of the virus. The prison is run by the federal government, but DeWine has activated the National Guard to assist at the prison for at least 7 to 10 days until additional federal assistance arrives. The state is prepared to send 26 guard members to the prison to assist with a medical mission.
• In the state prison system, five inmates at the Marion Correctional Institution and five inmates at Pickaway Correctional Institution have tested positive. 27 staff members at four facilities have tested positive for COVID-19, but the majority come from the Marion facility.
• Snowbirds coming back to Ohio from places like Florida, Arizona must quarantine for 14 days.
• ODOT is working with mobile food vendors to provide truckers with hot meal options due to limited restaurant availability.
• There are now over 29,000 open jobs listed on http://coronavirus.ohio.gov/jobsearch.
• A map showing data of Ohio travel shows that Ohioans are following the guidelines set out by the Governor. “We’re hopeful our destiny is changed by your actions. Don’t let up, if you see this through, we are going to get out of this stronger,” Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said.
• Acton said the state needed to double the hospital capacity to handle the upcoming surge. The social distancing the state has done is having an impact. Acton warned of a couple hard weeks ahead, but encouraged Ohioans to keep doing what they’re doing.

• Acton said she anticipates Ohio hitting its peak late April, early May.

Here’s what you need to know today:

• A sixth person has died from the coronavirus outbreak at the Greenville Health & Rehabilitation Center, county health officials announced Monday.
• Wright-Patterson Air Force Base has sent a contingent of citizen airmen to New York City to assist with coronavirus care in the hardest hit section of the United States.
• Premier Health has started new hours from the Coronavirus testing site at the UD Arena parking lot. The collection site will now be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays. This site continues to offer a process to collect specimens from patients who have a physician order with them for a COVID-19 test to be performed.

• Between 14,500 and 15,000 hospital beds are available in the state. This is an increase from 12,000 just earlier this week.
• A new executive order will effectively allow Ohioans to more easily access telehealth services from individual counselors, social workers, and marriage and family counselors. The order removes the need for a face-to-face first meeting.
• DeWine announced he will begin wearing a mask in public, however, it is not a requirement for Ohioans at this time. The CDC has recommended that people wear masks in public.
• The state reminded Ohioans that the primary election is by mail only. People must request an absentee ballot by mail. Absentee ballots must be filled out and mailed back. The ballot must be postmarked by April 27. CLICK HERE for the WHIO absentee ballot guide
• The state is urging Ohioans to check on their older residents in this pandemic. The demand for delivered meals for the elderly has gone up because of COVID-19. The Ohio Department of Aging has been working to get more resources for these meals and anticipate more relief is coming.
• 43,756 coronavirus tests have been administered in the state.
• 823 healthcare workers have tested positive in Ohio.
• Ohio has done an amazing job of flattening the curve, Dr. Amy Acton said.
• Masks are to be used as an additional protective measure, not in substitute for social distancing.
• The state has seen decreases in retail, transit, grocery and workplace traffic. The state has seen increases in parks and residential traffic.
• It’s unclear if the stay-at-home order will extend into the summer. It’s simply too early to say, the state says.
• By next week, the unemployment call center will have grown by 1,000 employees since the start of the pandemic, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said.
• A plane bringing in personal protective equipment is expected to arrive in Ohio with a shipment Tuesday, DeWine said.
• The state is not expecting to build new health facilities, but instead, utilize existing buildings if the state exceeds capacity at traditional hospitals.
• The following businesses were ordered to cease operation following Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County investigation:
• CR Butts, 607 Taywood Rd. Englewood, Ohio 45322
• Bell Comics, 458 Patterson Rd Dayton, Ohio 45419
• GameStop, 3878 Linden Ave Dayton, Ohio 45432
• GameStop, 1605 W. Dorothy Lane Kettering, Ohio 45439
• Outcasts Motorcycle Club, 417 Hunter Drive Dayton, Ohio 45405
• Petco Dog Grooming, 1150 S. Main Street Englewood, Ohio 45322
• Vapor Trails, 854 Union Blvd Clayton, Ohio 45315
• Exotic Fantasies,5th Street Dayton, Ohio
• Adult XXX Toys, 5th Street Dayton
• Monkey Smoke Shop, 328 N Dixie Drive Vandalia, Ohio 45377
• Zero 1 Vape, Kettering
• Vapor Trails, 854 Union Blvd Clayton, Ohio 45315
• WATCH: Coronavirus: Staff at local school makes parody video about working from home
• Coronavirus: Milton Union Elementary teachers hold parade for students
• Coronavirus: Man charged for violating the state’s stay-at-home order

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