Coronavirus in Ohio Tuesday update: 7,280 cases, 324 deaths reported
COLUMBUS (WCMH) — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted and Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton, M.D. MPH are holding a briefing to discuss the latest efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus in the state.
As of Tuesday, 7,280 cases have been reported in the state, leading to 324 deaths. A total of 2,156 people have been hospitalized, 654 in critical care.
Governor DeWine said Tuesday the state is submitting a waiver to the federal government for more freedom for Medicaid recipients. He says the waiver will boost telehealth, waive signature requirements for providers and remove barriers to accessing nursing home care.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther joined DeWine by teleconference to discuss the city’s alternative care center at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Ginther says their greatest home is the center will never be needed, but they must be prepared just in case it is.
The state is now using updated criteria when reporting case numbers, based on CDC guidelines.
Before this change, the guidance only allowed doctors to count COVID-19 cases that had been confirmed by a laboratory test. Now, the new guidance will include cases that meet the following criteria:
- A person will be counted if a quick test determines the presence of COVID-19 antibodies in the blood
- A person will be counted if there is clinical evidence and epidemiological evidence of the presence of COVID-19 when there is no other likely diagnosis, even if there’s no lab test
Tuesday’s numbers include 7,153 laboratory confirmed cases and 127 cases under the expanded criteria. A total of 309 deaths are laboratory confirmed cases, with 15 more meet the expanded criteria.