Coronavirus in Ohio Thursday update: DeWine update scheduled for 2pm, schools announcement expected
COLUMBUS (WCMH) — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is scheduled to hold his update on the spread of COVID-19 in the state at 2pm, Thursday, and he is expected to make an announcement in regards to the reopening of schools in the fall.
As of July 1, a total of 52,865(+1,076) cases were reported in Ohio since the pandemic began, leading to 2,876(+13) deaths and 7,911 hospitalizations.
The Department of Health adds the data when it is informed of a case or death. The information is backdated to the actual date the person started exhibiting symptoms or the date the person died.
It was the first time Ohio has had a case count of more than 1,000 since April 20, when there was a three day stretch of 1,115, 1,380 and 1,317 cases from April 18-20 respectively.
Governor DeWine announced Monday that nursing homes in Ohio will open for outdoor visitation beginning July 20.
Governor DeWine discussed the hospitalization trend, saying it is a lagging indicator. He says last week (June 21-27) is significant, it was the first week we saw an increase in hospitalization numbers in more than two months.
Monday, Governor DeWine said last week we had around 500-550 COVID-19 patients in hospitals, this week we are around 650. He said Cleveland, Dayton, Cincinnati have the largest numbers.
Governor DeWine says some people are wondering if our increase is only because we are testing more. He says the experts they are consulting don’t believe that’s entirely the case.
The governor says the rate of positive tests has been running between 4-6%. Previously we were only testing our sickest, now that we are testing more people including those without symptoms our positivity rate should be dropping. That’s not happening.
Governor DeWine says some people are wondering if our increase is only because we are testing more. He says the experts they are consulting don’t believe that’s entirely the case.
The governor says the rate of positive tests has been running between 4-6%. Previously we were only testing our sickest, now that we are testing more people including those without symptoms our positivity rate should be dropping. That’s not happening.