Coronavirus Pandemic: 67 Ohio cases (1 in Darke); what you need to know today

Ohio now has 67 confirmed coronavirus cases, according to the latest numbers from the Ohio Department of Health. There have been 17 people admitted to hospitals.

Darke County announced its first confirmed case of coronavirus Tuesday: a male in his 20s who recently returned from Florida.

“The patient is being isolated, is in good condition and being treated at home by his family doctor,” Darke County officials said.

Wayne County announced it had its first “presumptive positive” case.  The person infected was tested in Wayne County but lives in Franklin County, Indiana.

The Ohio Department of Health on Tuesday ordered elective surgeries and procedures in Ohio's hospitals be postponed in an effort to conserve personal protective equipment for healthcare workers and first responders in response of the coronavirus pandemic.

The order will go into effect at the end of business Wednesday, March 18.

Late Tuesday afternoon, WHIO-TV learned that a TSA screening officer at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport has tested positive for the coronavirus.

The officer's last day at work was Saturday, March 14, according to a TSA statement.

The officer is receiving medical care and is quarantined at home, according to TSA. The officer worked 4 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the North Checkpoint in the airport, TSA confirmed.

Employees who work the same shift and who may have come into contact with the officer in the last 14 days have been alerted so they can take action as appropriate.

The TSA officer is one of 31 confirmed cases reported in Cuyahoga County, according to the Ohio Department of Health in Columbus.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine held a news conference at 2 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know today:

• The order to postpone all elective surgery goes into effect at the end of business Wednesday, March 18.
• A plan has been submitted that will set in-person voting for June 2. Absentee ballots accepted in the meantime.
• If we did nothing, estimates are that 2.2 million Americans would die. With interventions, we can cut hospital surge by two-thirds and and decrease deaths by one-half.
• Of 67 coronavirus cases in Ohio, patients are 14 years to 86 years old. The median age is 48.
• Hospitals in Ohio are at around 75 percent capacity, which is normal for this time of year.
• Doctors have been asked to delay elective procedures. Non-elective procedures include life-saving surgery, surgery that saves an organ, and any procedure that prevents the progression of disease.
• Gov. Mike DeWine is asking those planning weddings to postpone. He is also asking that for funerals, all celebrations of life be delayed.

Montgomery County & Dayton Public Health held a press conference this afternoon.

Here’s what you need to know today:

• "We'll probably have our first positive test tomorrow (Wednesday)," said Dr. Joseph Allen, with Premier Health, who has been operating the test collection center at the University of Dayton Arena.
• More than 200 people have been tested, Allen said. Results will be available in one to two days
• The test collection center will be open this weekend, Allen said.
• The Dayton Foundation fund to help nonprofits fill gaps in services has raised $550,000
• Montgomery County officials declared a state of emergency.
• Commissioners have frozen hiring and are adding 14 days of leave for employees that would need it.
• SNAP benefits are still being processed and are not impacted by the state of emergency.
• Payments of county water bills and other bills can be done online or over the phone.

Here’s what you need to know today:

• If you owe a payment to the IRS, you can defer up to $1 million in owed payments and $10 million for corporations, federal officials announced. You can defer these payments for 90 days.
• Federal authorities are working to get money in the pockets of Americans quickly, perhaps within 2 weeks.
• Wayne County, Ind. has their first "presumptive positive" case of coronavirus. Reid Hospital is postponing any non-urgent surgeries until a later date.
• Montgomery County Commissioners will vote to declare a State of Emergency in Montgomery County. Montgomery County Commission President Judy Dodge said the vote is a step forward in the county's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. "Declaring a state of emergency is the best way for us to obtain the resources and support we need to address this pandemic, allowing us to keep our employees and the public safe," she said.
• Dr. Amy Acton, Ohio Department of Health director, issued her order to close the polls throughout Ohio today on Election Day, citing a health emergency.
• Premier Health and the University of Dayton have set up a COVID-19 testing site in the UD Arena parking lot. Testing will start today.
• Gov. Mike DeWine said fitness centers, gyms, public rec centers, bowling alleys, movie theaters, indoor water parks, indoor trampoline parks will all close Monday.
• Anyone who lost work because of COVID-19 is encouraged to apply for unemployment benefits online at http://unemployment.ohio.gov or by calling (877) 644-6562.
• Mass gathering ban will now be for more than 50 people.
• Grocery stores will remain open.
• Dollar General is offering senior shopping hours.

• President Donald Trump and federal officials recommended not gathering in groups of more than 10 people.
• A vaccine option is being tested.
• Trump said the precautionary measures may be needed through July or August.
• The president asked Americans to avoid discretionary travel.
• 1 million coronavirus tests are available nationwide and more are to come this week. At least 2 million tests next week and 5 million the week after that.

• Dayton area hospitals are now restricting which visitors are allowed into their buildings.
• Area jails are restricting visitors until further notice
• The Flying Pig Marathon has been rescheduled until fall

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