COLUMBUS — Pointing to a digital display of the latest COVID-19 case numbers, Gov. Mike DeWine Thursday said Ohio has a problem.
Just within the last 24 hours, the state saw an increase of 892 cases.
According to DeWine it was the fourth largest single day increase since the start of the health emergency in early March. Ground zero for the increase is southwest Ohio, including the cities of Dayton and Cincinnati.
“I talked with Dayton Nan Whaley and (Cincinnati Mayor) John Cranley. I talked with both of these mayors about how do we increase testing.” DeWine said.
To help illustrate the seriousness of the situation at his briefing Thursday, DeWine featured comments in a live video link from Dr. Rick Lofgren, President and CEO of UC Health, the health system affiliated with the University of Cincinnati.
Lofgren said young people have produced the largest share of new cases. The age range was between 20 and 49.
“This virus is having a bit of a comeback. The positivity rate in younger adults also suggests some more spreading in the community,” Lofgren said.
What is DeWine doing about the spike in cases?
The governors of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut recently ordered people returning from the state of Florida to quarantine at home for two weeks in an effort to halt the spread of the virus.
DeWine, meanwhile, has not ordered any new restrictions on travel or commerce. Instead he plans to continue promoting use of masks in public, social distancing, increased testing and washing of hands.
A new round of TV commercials will run statewide promoting mask use and health precautions.
DeWine said he will continue to monitor the data over the next week.
It comes just as he is about to release new rules for school districts to safeguard students’ return to the classroom in the fall. Those guidelines for districts may come next Tuesday at the governor’s next briefing.
“What’s going to come out is broad guidelines on health with no surprises in there. You are going to see a great deal of flexibility for our local schools,” DeWine said.