A fourth person in Ohio has tested positive for coronavirus and another 24 are being tested, according to new data released by the Ohio Department of Health and local officials. Mercer County Health Department has released that they are investigating a case for the coronavirus, according to their office. The newest case is in Stark County, which is located in northeast Ohio. The state said 21 people have tested negative for the virus, including one in Montgomery County.
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The Stark County case is the first case in Ohio diagnosed through community spread. Community spread means the patient had not traveled to impacted areas and didn’t have contact with a patient previously diagnosed with the virus, Dr. Amy Acton, Director of the Ohio Department of Health, said.
"We know this disease is spreading in the US. We have some hard months ahead with social disruption, but we know when we take these actions they make a difference,” Acton said.
The governor also announced there to be no spectators at the NCAA First Four at UD Arena and other NCAA basketball tournament games in the state.
President Donald Trump will be addressing the nation Wednesday night for a special prime time address about the coronavirus.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine released a list of recommendations to help stop the spread of the virus:
- State will be issuing an order on mass gatherings, details not released yet
- Protect at-risk residents at nursing homes by screening visitors, 1 visitor per day per resident
- Asked higher education institutions to screen students returning from international travel and cruise ships, and move toward online/remote learning
- Indoor sporting events to eliminate spectators
- Churches to limit practices that could spread germs
- Prisons have ended visitation
- Not recommending to close K-12 schools, but be prepared to do so
Here’s what you need to know today
- The governor announced there will be a state order, which is currently being drafted, that will impact the First Four games at UD Arena. He said there will be no spectators at that event. The NCAA announced that all men's and women's basketball tournament games will be played only with essential staff and limited family attendance.
- WGI, who holds it's world championships at UD Arena and the Nutter Center, has been cancelled. WGI will offer full refunds to all participants and spectators.
- The VA Community Living Centers are no longer allowing visitors to come into their facilities. There is an exception for hospice care visitors.
- Colleges and universities, including Ohio State, UD and Wright State, began cancelling in-person classes beginning today to help stop the spread of coronavirus. UD student housing is closing at 6 p.m. today, and students are to stay off campus until at least April 6.
- Following the news that students were being asked to leave campus, more than 1,000 students gathered in UD's student neighborhood Tuesday night. Police were called and sprayed "pepper balls" at students to disperse them.
- A Dayton-area couple quarantined on a cruise ship in California have been moved to an airbase
- Multiple counties have announced changes in some polling locations ahead of next Tuesday's elections. Polling locations were moved out of retirement or senior living facilities as a precaution for the spreading virus.
- Worldwide deaths are about 4,300 with worldwide infections over 119,000 in 115 counties. Outside of mainlaid China, Italy has the most cases and deaths with 10,149 cases and 631 deaths.
- The IRS is considering delaying the tax payment deadline past April 15.
- The CDC awarded $15.6 million to Ohio and local agencies to support the coronavirus response.
