DeWine announced he will be extending the statewide curfew between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. until Jan. 2. It had previously been set to expire today.
>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Curfew order issued, some exceptions detailed
The announcement was made during DeWine’s afternoon coronavirus briefing.
The following announcements were made:
- Today’s daily coronavirus cases are the fourth highest since the pandemic began.
- Montgomery County has dropped from the Purple Level 4 category under the state’s health advisory system. All counties in the Miami Valley are under Red Level 3.
- DeWine said the next three weeks are the most important so far this pandemic, even more so than Thanksgiving. “Absolutely a crucial time,” DeWine said. “What each of us does in the next 21 days will set us on the path - good or bad - for the next year.”
- 86 percent of ICU beds in the Miami Valley are occupied and of those, 20 percent of ICU beds are being used for COVID-19 patients.
- The curfew issued earlier this month and the mask enforcement at retail establishments have been extended until Jan. 2
- There will be a variance that will allow the Cleveland Browns game against Baltimore Monday, MLS Cup Final Columbus Crew game Saturday and upcoming AAC Championship Football game Dec. 19 with the Cincinnati Bearcats to continue as planned. All of those games would have likely ended after the curfew begins.
- DeWine said 12 doctors have assisted in developing the “Stay Safe Ohio” plan that will be used to help get the state through the next 21 days.
- Those “Stay Safe Ohio” protocols include:
- Please stay home
- Wear your mask
- Keep interactions short and stay apart
- Wash your hands
- Work from home
- Celebrate safe, celebrate small
- Don’t eat or drink with anyone outside your household
- Limit travel
- Keep weddings and funerals safe
- Enjoy safe holiday activities
Other news in the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Local nurse dies from COVID-19; leaves behind 7 children, friends and co-workers say
- Coronavirus: Ohio hits 16% test positivity staying on latest travel advisory list
- Funeral services set for Washington Twp. firefighter who died from COVID complications
- More individuals owe money to the state after being overpaid unemployment benefits
Cox Media Group
