Coronavirus in Ohio Tuesday update: 564 cases reported, 8 deaths
COLUMBUS (WCMH) — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Amy Acton, M.D., MPH will hold their daily briefing Tuesday around 2 p.m. to discuss the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the ODH, as of Tuesday. 564 people have tested positive for the virus. There are eight deaths, 145 are hospitalized.
Cases have been reported in the following counties:
Ashland (1), Ashtabula (3), Belmont (2), Butler (18), Carroll (3), Champaign (1), Clark (2), Clermont (5), Clinton (1), Columbiana (3), Coshocton (3), Crawford (1), Cuyahoga (167), Darke (1), Defiance (2), Delaware (11), Erie (1), Fairfield (2), Franklin (75), Gallia (1), Geauga (5), Greene (3), Hamilton (38), Hancock (1), Highland (1), Huron (2), Knox (1), Lake (11), Licking (2), Logan (2), Lorain (30), Lucas (11), Madison (1), Mahoning (28), Marion (4), Medina (15), Miami (19), Montgomery (10), Portage (4), Richland (4), Sandusky (1), Stark (13), Summit (36), Trumbull (4), Tuscarawas (3), Union (2), Warren (7), Washington (1), Wood (2)
ODH says deaths have been reported in Cuyahoga(2), Erie, Franklin (2), Gallia, Lucas and Stark Counties.
Dr. Amy Acton says the testing data does not tell the full story, since there is a shortage of tests and those available are being conserved for the most high-risk and hospitalized front-line workers. The actual number of cases in Ohio is believed to be much higher.
Governor DeWine opened Tuesday’s briefing by playing a video featuring well known Ohioans, showing that we are all in this together.
DeWine also addressed the state of Ohio’s economy. He said he wants to see all of the drastic steps taken over with as soon as possible.
“Every single day I think about those of you who are unemployed. I think about the small businesses. I know that each day that goes by that you don’t have income is very, very tough. And I fully understand that,” DeWine said.
DeWine says that in order to get the economy back in order, we need to flatten the curve and make sure people are no longer scared.
” he truth is that protecting people and protecting the economy are not mutually exclusive. In fact, one depends on the other. We save our economy by first saving lives. And we have to do it in that order,” said DeWine.
During Monday’s briefing, DeWine gave more specifics on the state’s pandemic daycare order and ordered a hiring freeze and budget cuts for state government. Dr. Acton addressed the state’s anticipated shortage of personal protective equipment.
Sunday, Dr. Acton signed a stay-at-home order for all Ohioans. The order went into effect at 11:59 p.m. Monday and will go until at least April 6. Then it will be reevaluated, according to Gov. DeWine.