DeWine Daily Press Conference: Schools to Continue Remote Education, Current Numbers
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted and Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton once again addressed Ohioans on March 30, 2020.
Gov. DeWine addressed hospitals and care providers that they should send their testing samples to a neighboring hospital that is testing or to the Ohio Department of Health. DeWine said the private labs are taking six days or so to get test results back. He said that ODH is typically turning around test results within 8-10 hours, but definitely less than 24 hours. The private labs are behind, DeWine said, “We are not.”
Schools remain out at least until May 1, at that point DeWine said it would be reevaluated to determine what would happen from there. School continues but not in the classroom DeWine noted. He thanked teachers and families for working to continue education for Ohio’s school children. He said that there was a definite possibility that school would be done remotely for the rest of the school year. DeWine said that not every school has the ability to do distance learning. Additionally, he said that rural areas not only have individuals that have issues accessing the internet, but whole communities can not get the internet. DeWine noted that there was federal money coming for schools and that may help in addressing issues. He was interested to have input from teachers and superintendents on the issue as well. Lt. Gov. Husted reminded that PBS stations throughout the state would have special programming directed to help supplement education for children.
Ohio prisons have inmates working on making personal protection equipment including masks, gowns and face shields. They are also working on making hand sanitizer. DeWine thanked those involved for making that possible.
Homelessness was also addressed by DeWine. He said he has been in contact with mayors around the state. There is team working to adjust the CDC guidelines on homeless shelters with social distancing to Ohio’s needs. He was asking that plans on COVID-19 for local governments also include plans for the homeless, particularly for major cities in Ohio.
Gen. John C. Harris, Jr., spoke remotely from the emergency operations center for Ohio. Gen. Harris said that they would be maximizing resources as much as possible throughout the state. He said that Ohioans would be seeing service members in their communities in uniforms that will be doing site assessments and working with regional leaders for what was needed in that particular area. Gen. Harris said they were working to build out Ohio’s capacity in anticipation of increased COVID-19 patients. He said that part of that would be acquiring facilities, leasing buildings or utilizing properties owned by the state which are not being used. “We are innovating as much as possible,” Gen. Harris said.
The Numbers for March 30, 2020
For March 30, 2020 there are now 1,933 reported COVID-19 cases according to the Ohio Department of Health. Of those, 475 are hospitalizations with 163 in the ICU. There have now been 39 deaths in Ohio due to COVID-19. The age range is less than one year of age to 98. The median age is 53 with 50 percent males and 50 percent females. The 1,933 cases are those tested and reporting to date by the 2 p.m. release of information.
Of Ohio’s 88 counties, 70 have confirmed COVID-19 cases. Those counties with confirmed cases and the number of confirmed cases as of 2 p.m. on March 30, 2020: Brown, 1; Fayette, 1; Gallia, 1; Highland, 1; Holmes, 1; Lawrence, 1; Pike, 1; Preble, 1; Ross, 1; Van Wert, 1; Wyandot, 1; Ashland, 2; Auglaize, 2; Fulton, 2; Mercer, 2; Muskingum, 2; Ottawa, 2; Athens, 3; Champaign, 3; Clinton, 3; Greene, 3; Hancock, 3; Huron, 3; Knox, 3; Logan, 3; Sandusky, 3; Seneca, 3; Washington, 3; Allen, 4; Shelby, 4; Union, 4; Carroll, 5; Coshocton, 5; Crawford, 5; Defiance, 5; Erie, 5; Madison, 5; Pickaway, 5; Richland, 5; Ashtabula, 6; Clark, 6; Jefferson, 7; Marion, 7; Tuscarawas, 7; Wayne, 7; Belmont, 8; Clermont, 9; Columbiana, 11; Darke, 12; Fairfield, 13; Warren, 20; Licking, 21; Geauga, 22; Butler, 30; Montgomery, 31; Portage, 32; Delaware, 38; Trumbull, 42; Lake, 43; Stark, 44; Miami, 46; Medina, 48; Lorain, 78; Hamilton, 101; Lucas, 114; Mahoning, 117; Summit, 118; Franklin, 281; Cuyahoga, 493.
Counties with reported deaths due to COVID-19 are: Gallia, 1; Athens, 1; Huron, 1; Erie, 1; Columbiana, 2; Montgomery, 1; Portage, 1; Delaware, 1; Trumbull, 2; Lake, 1; Stark, 2; Miami, 5; Medina, 1; Lorain, 2; Lucas, 2; Mahoning, 4; Summit, 5; Franklin, 2; Cuyahoga, 4. Cuyahoga County leads the state with cases and hospitalization but deaths to date of the virus are currently the highest in Summit and Miami counties.
