Coronavirus: DeWine issues mandatory mask order for 7 counties, including Montgomery

COLUMBUS — Gov. Mike DeWine announced a mandatory mask order for counties that fall under the red Level 3 alert level in the Ohio Public Health Advisory System. The announcement was coupled with another order allowing sports games to resume.

The following announcements were made during an afternoon press conference:

• Rep. Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland) announced she tested positive for coronavirus. Her symptoms are mild.
• DeWine said the state is seeing data similar to the national trends with cases involving younger adults increasing. In the age group of 20-29 years old cases account for 26 percent of the states cases so far in July. In March, the figure for that same age range was 12 percent of the cases.
• DeWine spoke to health commissioners in each of the Alert 3 Red counties yesterday, which includes Montgomery and Butler counties. Those counties are seeing cases spread at parties, funerals, and other social gatherings. Churches and tourist attractions also have seen cases, DeWine said.
• Gov. DeWine announced that masks will be required in counties under a Alert Level 3 red category.
• DeWine said he does expect lawsuits surrounding the new mask order, however the state’s lawyers have told the Governor the state has the legal authority to issue the order.
• The Ohio Department of Health on a short-term basis, through July 15, has issued an order allowing for contact and non-contact competition to resume for all sports if teams agree to all of the guidelines in the order, including the following:
• Testing of all players, coaches, athletic trainers, support staff, and officials before travel and competition.
• Daily symptom assessments.
• Athletic trainers must wear a face covering while attending to a player.
• Coaches and officials are strongly recommended to wear a face covering, when possible.
• Strict social distancing by players who are not actively engaged in practice or competition.
• Immediate isolation and medical care for a participant who develops symptoms.

ELECTION PLAN:

Ohio’s plan for Election Day on Nov. 3 is designed to protect people from the coronavirus and as well as their right to vote during the pandemic.

A directive to county boards of elections from Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose urges advance planning to deal with health concerns.

Those plan include the need for new polling locations since nursing homes will not be able to host a voting site and some schools may be reluctant to accommodate voters.

Content Continues Below

LaRose’s directive to county boards of election, issued Monday, also calls for limited curbside voting, which will be allowed for people who cannot physically enter a polling place or who do not feel comfortable going inside to cast a ballot.

More voters became experienced with mail-in balloting when the March primary was delayed at the beginning of the COVID-19 emergency and all ballots that were not cast in early voting had to be mailed.

What will November 2020 be like?

SPONSORED CONTENT

10 Ways to Be Social While Social Distancing

By Humana

DAYTON’S MASK ORDINANCE:

After the first full weekend of Dayton’s mandatory mask ordinance, which requires people to wear a mask or face covering in most public places, no citations were issued for violating the ordinance.

Still have questions about the ordinance? Get some answers here.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Does Your Primary Care Doctor Listen?

By Humana

SPONSORED CONTENT

Struggling to keep a full fridge? 14 Resources that may help

By Humana

Things you should know today, Tuesday:

• RTA Mask Rules: If you ride RTA or work for the transit authority, you’ll be required to wear a face mask or covering.
• Disinfectants Effective: The EPA has approved two products, Lysol Disinfectant Spray (EPA Reg No. 777-99) and Lysol Disinfectant Max Cover Mist (EPA Reg No. 777-127), based on lab testing that shows the products are effective against SARS-CoV-2. “EPA is committed to identifying new tools and providing accurate and up-to-date information to help the American public protect themselves and their families from the novel coronavirus,” EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said.
• First MIS-C Case: Clark County Combined Health District (CCCHD) has confirmed the first Clark County case of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C).The patient is under the age of 5 and is recovering at Dayton Children’s Hospital. MIS-C is a new syndrome in children and teens that is believed to be associated with the virus that causes COVID-19.
• Business Shutdown: Newcom’s Tavern is closed until July 17 because a worker tested positive for COVID-19
• Free Masks: The city of Dayton will be distributing free masks to city residents.
• Beginning July 20, nursing homes will be permitted to have outdoor visitations, as long as all safety standards are met. Nursing homes should consider the status of cases in their communities and in the nursing home, staffing levels, access to testing for residents and staff, PPE supplies and hospital capacity when deciding to reopen for outdoor visits.
• Testing Clinics: Wednesday, the first of three community testing clinics will be offered, courtesy of the The Clark County Combined Health District and the city of Springfield, The clinics operate noon until 6 p.m. and the tests are free. No insurance, doctor’s order or appointment needed. The locations and times are as follows: Wednesday: Hayward Middle School,1700 Clifton Ave.; July 15: Perrin Woods Elementary School, 431 W. John St.; July 22: La Condesa Grocery #1, 440 S. Burnett Road (Burnett Plaza Shopping Center).

SPONSORED CONTENT

10 Ways to Be Social While Social Distancing

By Humana

LATEST STATE DATA: As of Tuesday afternoon, there have been at least 58,904 confirmed or probable cases in the state, 2,970 deaths, and 8,383 hospitalizations, according to the Ohio Department of Health. Of Ohio’s cases, 41,438 cases are presumed recovered, which accounts for approximately 71 percent of the cases.

Ohio has an estimated population of approximately 11.7 million, census records show.

Of the state’s positive cases, 8.8% are from Ohio’s prisons.

[ Local cases, deaths reported to Ohio Department of Health ]

The state reported that a total of 892,731 people have been tested in Ohio.

In the state, 7,657 cases are health care workers, which is 13 percent of the cases.

[ Local cases, deaths reported to Ohio Department of Health ]

Some other things you should know today, Tuesday:

• Ownership at two Miami Valley restaurants is asking customers to adhere to its facial covering rules.
• Reds, Indians release coronavirus-shortened 2020 schedule
• Atlanta Mayor Bottoms contracts COVID-19

© 2020 Cox Media Group