10/30/2020

Ohio COVID-19 Update: Record-Breaking Cases, COVID Defense Teams

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine provided the following updates on Ohio's response to the COVID-19 pandemic yesterday during his press conference. 

RECORD-BREAKING CASES

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that Ohio has now hit a record number of cases reported in a single 24-hour period. Between yesterday and today, health officials have reported a total of 3,590 new positive coronavirus cases in Ohio which is more than 700 cases more than the previous high number of cases reported last Saturday. A total of 194 new hospitalizations were also reported in the past 24 hours, the third-highest number of hospitalizations reported in a single day so far. 

"The virus is raging throughout the state, and there is no place to hide," said Governor DeWine. "We must face this virus head-on with the tools that we know can beat this virus back: masks, social distancing, washing hands frequently, and good ventilation when inside."

UPDATED OHIO PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY 

New health data compiled by the Ohio Department of Health found that 43 counties currently have a very high risk of exposure and spread (Red Level 3), up from 38 counties last week. This represents the highest number of Red Level 3 counties since the launch of the advisory system in July. As of today, 78 percent of Ohioans are living in a Red Level 3 county. Less than 1 percent of Ohioans live in a Yellow Level 1 county.

"Despite the grim data that we see today, I am confident that we can slow down this invader," said Governor DeWine. "The decisions Ohioans make each day will determine the outcome of this battle. We must mask more, keep distance more, and simply be more careful. We can control our destiny."

Although Clark, Cuyahoga, and Hamilton counties are no longer listed on Ohio's watch list, there are still serious concerns about spread of the coronavirus in these counties. 

"Our alert system is designed to flag indicators that are getting worse, and what we are seeing is that these three counties have plateaued at high levels," said Governor DeWine.

A county-by-county breakdown outlining the presence of COVID-19 in all of Ohio's 88 counties can be found on the Ohio Public Health Advisory System's website.

COVID DEFENSE TEAMS

Governor DeWine today called on community leaders in each county to immediately form a local COVID Defense Team consisting of county commissioners, mayors, local hospital leaders, health commissioners, business leaders, religious leaders, and other local leaders. 

Each COVID Defense Team will be responsible for assessing COVID-19 spread in their communities, taking inventory of the assets in the community, and focusing on what steps are necessary to slow the spread of the coronavirus among their citizens.